HC Deb 29 June 1915 vol 72 cc1747-8

Section forty-five of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, shall apply in the case of licensed premises of the description there referred to in respect of which it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise that the receipts from the sale of intoxicating liquor were in the preceding year less in the case of a restaurant than three-fifths and in the case of any other premises than one-half of the total receipts in that year from the business of all descriptions carried on by the licence-holder in the premises.

Mr. MONTAGU

May I ask the hon. Member not to press this Clause? We want to meet him, as we agree there is a case. I have got an alternative Clause here. I do not know whether he has seen it. We propose to move it in this form in order to meet the difficulty of these hotel keepers.

Colonel WALKER

The object of the Clause I have on the Paper is to meet some very unjust action which will undoubtedly arise among a very small minority in the trade, but if the Clause which the right hon. Gentleman suggests meets the case I should be quite content to accept it.

Mr. DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN

There seems to be a considerable difference between the Clause handed in and that on the Paper. I think the Clauses handed in should come in their proper order at the end of those on the Paper.

Colonel WALKER

I am quite prepared to accept that suggestion and will read the Government Clause in the meantime.