HC Deb 09 April 1925 vol 182 cc2409-10
20. Mr. CECIL WILSON

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the action of certain clerks to licensing justices in different parts of the country in taking exception to a member of the local community opposing the granting of a new licence, informing him that because he is not a solicitor he can only give evidence; and whether information can be sent to all clerks to licensing justices informing them of the words of Lord Herschell and Lord Halsbury, in the case of Boulter versus Kent in 1897, to the effect that every person may object to a grant, of a licence on public grounds, and that in respect of the application for a licence, as the justices do not occupy the position of Judges, but only exercise discretionary jurisdiction, they may receive representations not on oath?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have not had my attention drawn to any facts of the nature indicated in the first paragraph of the Question, but I think that the law, as laid down in this case, is well known.