§ SIR EDWARD SASSOON (Hythe)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he would give some facility on the Report stage of the Licensing Bill for the purpose of considering the expediency of the Licensing Commission's paying the whole of the disbursements in respect of the charges in connection with the administration of licences, and so exempting local rates from the burden imposed by subsection 2 of Clause 28.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI beg to answer this Question on behalf of my right hon. friend. I do not think that it is possible to give Clause 28 of the Licensing Bill any preferential treatment in the allocation of time on the Report stage. It is to be observed that the expenses of justices and their clerks provided for in the clause are not wholly concerned with compensation work; and they are incurred for the benefit of the locality. It seems, therefore, a fair arrangement that one-half should be paid out of the compensation fund and one-half out of the rates, rather than wholly out of the compensation fund, as suggested by the hon. Baronet.
§ SIR EDWARD SASSOONWill that arrangement continue after the reduction period?
§ MR. GLADSTONEThat will be a matter for consideration.