§ 44. Mr. HUTCHISONasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the approach of Easter, he will take steps to bring the special hours of opening of licensed houses in the Metropolitan Police area into uniformity with the hours sanctioned by licensing benches on the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police area?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am afraid this is not possible. As I pointed out in answer to a question by the hon. Member on the 22nd December last, it is incumbent on the Commissioner to consider each application for a special order of exemption separately and on its merits, and it would not be proper for me to interfere with his discretion in the manner suggested.
§ Mr. HUTCHISONIs it not possible to bring the licensed houses in the Metropolitan Police area under the same regulations as the houses in the other districts? In the other districts they are licensed by districts, would it not be 2176 possible in the Metropolitan Police area to bring them under the same control?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir, but, if the hon. Member would care to discuss the matter with me, we could do so more appropriately than across the Floor of the House.