MR. PIKE PEASEI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he will introduce a clause into the Licensing Bill stating whether it is, or is not, an indictable offence for a village innkeeper to keep his inn open after closing hours for the provision of non-alcoholic refreshment.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe law on the subject of the duties of inn-keepers is of old standing and well settled, and does not require any statutory definition.
MR. PIKE PEASEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement and that of the Solicitor-General on Friday have caused great chaos among a great many people in the country? Will a man be allowed to stop after closing hours at night in a public-house in a village if he does not buy anything alcoholic?
§ MR. ASQUITHI do not know about chaos. The hon. Gentleman's Question referred to inn-keepers only, and my answer was confined to them.