HC Deb 28 October 1908 vol 195 cc276-7
MR. H. H. MARKS (Kent, Thanet)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if, before preparing their Licensing Bill, the Government had taken any steps to ascertain the number of members belonging to the registered clubs; and if he can state the number of members belonging to the registered clubs in respect of which Returns were made, under the Licensing Act, 1902, during the years 1905, 1906, and 1907, and the number of members belonging to clubs which were removed from the register during each of those years.

MR. GLADSTONE

I beg to answer this Question on behalf of my right hon. friend. I have no information enabling me to give figures as to the membership of registered clubs in the years indicated, or of the clubs struck off the register in those years.

MR. H. H. MARKS

Cannot the right hon Gentleman answer the first part of the Question?

MR. GLADSTONE

No steps have been taken; the number is admittedly large.