31. Major OWENasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the existence of special licensing laws in Wales and the fact that a separate Commission has been set up for Scotland, he will consider the setting up of a separate Royal Commission to inquire into the whole of the licensing system in Wales?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo. Sir. Wales, like England, and unlike Scotland, is subject to the Licensing Acts, 1910 and 1921, and accordingly a single Commission has been appointed for England and Wales and is now at work.
Major OWENIs it not a fact that we have different licensing laws in Wales, and is it not also a fact that Scotland has had a separate Commission for that very reason? Why should preferential treatment be given to one portion of the country as against another?
§ Mr. CLYNESMy answer is that Eng-land and Wales are subject to the same Licensing Acts, 1910 and 1921, and are, therefore, covered by the same Commission.
Major OWENIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in Wales, for instance, we have a Sunday Closing Act, which does not apply to England at all, and that for years there have been representations from Wales for a separate licensing system, which have been entirely ignored in spite of the promises of the Government before they came into office?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am sure, so far as any special or separate evidence can affect the position, the Commission will be glad to have all the facts.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that where there is this Sunday Closing Act you can get plenty of liquor all day?
Major OWENIs the right hon. Gentle-man aware that the only representative on that Commission comes from Mon-mouthshire, does not know the conditions in the rest of Wales, and does not in any sense represent the feeling of the country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to waste public money in this way at the request of the Liberal party?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt will be impossible to have a Commission smaller than a great mass meeting if we are to have representatives of every area.
Major OWENMay I give notice that I will draw attention to the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity?
§ 36. Mr. DAYasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the many anomalies that at present exist in the licensing laws which govern the granting Of licences to theatres. and of places which are granted singing and dancing licences, he will consider the appointment of a Committee to consider the whole question with the object of recommending amending legislation?
§ Mr. CLYNESThere are certainly anomalies in the existing law, but I am not aware that they give rise to any very serious difficulties in administration and there are many other matters of more importance which must take precedence.
§ Mr. DAYWill the right hon. Gentle-man refer the question of drinking in theatres and music halls to the Royal Commission that has been set up?
§ Mr. CLYNESEvidence, of course, will be submitted to the Commission.