§ MR. SAMUEL ROBERTSI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there are in existence a number of on-licences, the full capital monopoly value of which has been paid by their owners in accordance with Section 4 of the Licensing Act, 1904; and whether it is intended, under the provisions of the Licensing Bill now before Parliament, that these licences shall, after fourteen years, be subject to renewal only on condition that a further monopoly value be paid for them.
§ MR. ASQUITHI am aware that in a certain number of cases the monopoly value of a new house has been taken in the shape of a capital sum, and the question whether these cases require any peculiar treatment is under consideration.
§ MR. SAMUEL ROBERTSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is prepared to accept an Amendment to his Bill dealing with this matter?
§ MR. ASQUITHI should like to see the Amendment first.
§ *MR. LEIF JONES (Westmoreland, Appleby)asked whether it was not the case that the longest period for which these licences could be granted was seven years, and that long before the fourteen years had expired they must come up for renewal.
§ MR. ASQUITHreplied that seven years was the longest period for which such licences could be granted.