§ MR. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the decision of the magistrates at the recent annual sessions at West Jesmond, Newcastle on-Tyne, whereby they refused to grant an off-licence to a house in the locality, and to the fact that the interested person has since secured an excise licence for the; same premises; and can he say whether he intends to introduce new legislation, or what steps, if any, he proposes to take to deal with such cases.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have had my attention drawn to this case, and have made inquiry about it. The facts are substantially as stated in the Question. The sale by retail of intoxicating liquors without a justices' licence, of which this appears to be an instance, is a matter which has already occupied my careful consideration in connection with the proposed Licensing Bill.