§ MR. MACLEAN (Bath)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that holders of six-day licences, and also holders of licences with an early-closing condition attached, have to pay compensation charges under the Licensing Act of 1904 at the same rate as holders of seven-day and full-time licences; and will he take steps to grant to holders of six-day and early-closing licences remissions on compensation charges similar to those allowed on the excise licence.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI believe that the reading of the law stated in the first part of the Question is correct. If so the suggestion in the second part could not be carried out without legislation, and I can only say that I will note the point for consideration. This construction of the law has not been challenged since the Act came into operation, but it is open to any licence-holder affected, if he thinks the construction wrong, to take legal proceedings with a view to obtaining a decision.