§ Colonel KENYON-SLANEY (Shropshire, Newport);I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by whose authority and in virtue of what law the power to borrow money for the extinction of licences under the Licensing Act, 1904, has been so restricted as to render any further reduction of licences by quarter sessions under the said Act impossible.
§ MR. GLADSTONEUnder Section 3 (5) of the Licensing Act, 1904, the consent of the Secretary of State for the Home Department is required for the raising of loans on the security of the compensation fund. I am not aware that any action on my part in laying down the conditions on which I have hitherto been prepared to give my consent has had the result suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.
§ COLONEL KENYON-SLANEYHas not the right hon. Gentleman by his action in refusing borrowing powers practically prohibited the extinction of licences?
§ MR. GLADSTONEEach case has to be considered on its merits. If the right hon. Gentleman will put down a Question with regard to one, I will endeavour to answer it.
§ Colonel KENYON-SLANEYI will do so.
§ MR. LEIF JONES (Westmoreland, Appleby)Do not the Liverpool justices complain that their powers have been considerably reduced—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That does not appear to arise out of this Question.