§ 20. Mr. BOYTONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that municipal town halls, such as Caxton Hall, belonging to the Westminster City Council, are able to let their buildings for such functions as Jewish wedding dinners and dances to hosts who issue private invitations and provide food and drink, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, as they think fit, for their guests, whilst other halls and places of entertainment, simply because they have an Excise 817 licence, cannot be used for strictly private functions after 11 p.m. if alcoholic drinks are desired; and whether he can see his way to either remove the restrictions for private parties from all responsible licensees of halls or withdraw the privilege from municipalities.
§ Mr. McKENNAI understand that the facts are as stated. At the request of the military authorities no extensions of time to licensed premises involving the sale or consumption of alcoholic drink are permitted after 11 p.m. For the convenience of guests at Jewish wedding parties held on licensed premises, however, the Commissioner of Police grants extensions of time till the hour by custom established, on an undertaking being given that intoxicants will not be sold or consumed after 11 p.m. Obviously no such restrictions can apply to parties held in private houses or on premises which do not come under the restriction of the Licensing Acts.
§ Mr. BOYTONMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman considers a municipal hall is a private residence?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. I consider the premises are under the heading of premises which do not come under the restrictions of the Licensing Acts.