§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many hours per week, including Sunday, licensed houses are open for sale of intoxicating drink in London and Dublin, respectively; and whether he still adhered to population as the basis of his proposed new duties, regardless of the hours which houses may be kept open and other circumstances which might affect the trade of different cities?
§ Mr. FULLERThe number of hours during which licensed premises may by law be open during a week including Sunday are, in London, 123½ hours, and in Dublin, 98 hours. My right hon. Friend does not think that this difference in the number of hours during which licensed premises may be open affects the principle of adopting population as a basis of the minimum duty to be paid in respect of public-houses and "on" beer houses, and he proposes to adhere to that basis.
§ Mr. CHARLES ROBERTSIf, instead of differentiating the duties, the Government succeeded in assimilating the English hours to those of Ireland and Scotland, I do not think that the hon. Member would ask that question.