HC Deb 15 December 1932 vol 273 cc509-10
42. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the difficulties caused by the decision, in the case of Commissioners of Customs and Excise versus Curtis, that upon the grant of a new full licence to premises already licensed as a beer house the full value of the new licence by way of monopoly value must be paid to the Exchequer without any allowance for tike previous beer house licence; and whether, seeing that the expense will prevent brewery firms and other owners of beer houses from applying for new full licences which would usually involve the rebuilding of premises, he will consider taking steps to remove this difficulty before the licensing sessions to be held in February, 1933?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

My hon. Friend has been kind enough to write to my right hon. Friend in this matter. My right hon. Friend is aware of the effect of the decision referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, I regret that I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the subject until it is possible to consider it together with other matters upon which the Royal Commission on Licensing reported.