§ Mr. GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that at some recent licensing Sessions licensing justices have refused all applications for alterations to licensed premises, which would obviate the necessity of child messengers and other children under 14 years of age entering the bars of licensed premises, by providing a separate entrance to or exit from another part of those premises; whether it was the intention of the Government in that Act to prevent children entering licensed premises under all circumstances; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI have no information about the refusals referred to in the question. It will be seen from section 120 of the Children Act that it was not the intention of Parliament to prevent children entering licensed premises under all circumstances, but only to exclude them from drinking bars and rooms exclusively or mainly used for the sale and consumption of drink. I cannot interfere with the discretion of the licensing justices in dealing with applications for consent to the alteration of licensed premises.
§ Mr. CHARLES ROBERTSWas it in the intention of the Government that such structural alterations should be sanctioned by the justices?
§ Mr. GLADSTONENo, Sir, it was not contemplated.
§ Mr. GRETTONIs it the intention of the Government in any way to restrict the discretion of the justices to have alterations made where it is desirable?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEConsidering that the Act has only just come into operation, it is much too soon to form any opinion on the subject.