§ Mr. WATTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the hours during which retailers of spirituous liquors can sell in Scotland amount to 84 hours per week; that in England the corresponding hours of sale, outside of the metropolitan area, are 108 hours per week; that this difference equals 88 days more for sale in one year in England than in Scotland; and whether, in view of that difference between the two countries, he can see his way to equalise matters by a duty in Scotland proportionate to the hours of sale?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend is aware of the difference in the number of hours per week during which licensed premises in England and Scotland can respectively be open for the sale of liquors. These hours are, to some extent, regulated by the requirements of the locality, and he does not think that the fact that premises can be kept open for a less number of hours in Scotland than in England, or that the hours vary in different places or localities, is a sufficient reason for differential treatment as respects licence duty.