§ 64 Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the wholesale licence held by Laurence Anderson, Grantfield, Lerwick, has been forfeited owing to his having been convicted of shebeening on 23rd December, 1924; is he aware that Mary Anderson, his wife, applied for a wholesale licence for the same premises at Grantfield, Lerwick, before his shebeening case was decided by the Court; and 1856 will he state whether Mary Anderson has been granted a, wholesale licence or whether it is the intention of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to grant a licence, seeing that Laurence Anderson is still manager of these premises and that Mary Anderson does not manage the business;
(2) Whether he is aware that a wholesale licence has been granted by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to Frank J. Sandison, North Roadside, Lerwick, for premises situated there; that this person was convicted of trafficking on 13th January, 1922; that a wholesale licence has been held by Frank J. Sandison's brother for the above premises at North Roadside, Lerwick, and that the licence was surrendered after a raid by the police which resulted in a conviction for shebeening; and whether, seeing that this granting of wholesale licences is prejudicial to efficient police administration, he will inquire into the matter;
(3) whether he is aware that the wholesale licence held by William Robertson, of 86, Commercial Street, Lerwick, was forfeited, owing to his having been convicted for trafficking last year; that his son, William Robertson, junior, applied for a wholesale licence last year and was refused: that the said William Robertson, junior, has again applied for a wholesale licence for the same premises at 86, Commercial Street, Lerwick and will he say whether a wholesale licence has been granted him or whether it is the intention of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to grant that licence, seeing the premises are under the same management as before the conviction?
Mr. GUINNESSAll the facts relevant to the legal question of the transfer or issue of wholesale dealers' licences in the three cases have been carefully examined and I am advised that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise Lave no power to refuse to allow a licence to Mary Anderson or to Francis J. Sandison for the respective premises in question, or to refuse to issue licences to William D. Robertson for the premises at 86, Commercial Street, Lerwick.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it not the case that each of these three licences was granted despite the protest of the Chief Constable?
Mr. GUINNESSThere is no power to withhold the licence and no communication on the part of the magistrate is necessary, or indeed can take effect.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIn view of the fact that the Government declare they had no power to refuse a licence to convicted shebeeners, will they give a guarantee that legislation will be promoted forthwith to give them such power?
Mr. GUINNESSI understand the people who received these licences are not convicted shebeeners. If the hon. Member can give me information that these liceneees have been convicted of any offence, of course action will be taken.