§ 13. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce a Bill during the current Session to remedy the situation which has been created by the decision of the Appeal Court with regard to the legality of special licensing hours during the summer in view of the adverse effect upon the tourist industry?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Government have decided to introduce as soon as possible after the Recess a Bill to meet the situation created by the recent decision of the High Court. The Bill will enable an extension of the permitted hours from 10 to 10.30 p.m., at the discretion of the justices to be granted for a part of the year only as was provided in the Order which was the subject of the proceedings.
§ Captain MACDONALDWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his prompt action in this matter, may I ask him, in order to clarify the position which now exists, to state whether the High Court decision referred to in my question, only applies to that particular place 1922 or to the 120 odd other orders issued by licensing justices throughout the country?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have no authority to give any ruling on the point, but the advice given to me is that similar orders made by the licensing benches in other districts are not automatically rendered inoperative by the High Court decision.
Captain ARTHUR EVANSMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether this Bill will include within its terms the Principality of Wales?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir.