24. Viscountess ASTORasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in many districts a decrease in the number of licences granted has been followed by an 1007 in view of this fact, he proposes to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Licensing relating to the registration of clubs?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)I would refer the Noble Lady to the reply which I gave on the 4th February to a question by the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).
Viscountess ASTORWould it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to give me an answer, because I cannot remember what that reply was?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe effect of it was that this is a matter which would require legislation, and that all questions arising out of the Report of the Royal Commission requiring legislation were still under the consideration of the Government.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not a fact that the great majority of clubs in this country, particularly working-men's clubs, are admirably conducted?
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, the great majority of these clubs are not working-men's clubs at all, but bogus drinking clubs, paid for by the trade?