§ 52. Mr. MESSERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in the case of a registered club which was recently fined at Rochester for selling drink to children whose respective ages were 10, 13, and 15 years, the prosecution could only be instituted as one for the illegal sale of liquor for consumption off the premises; and whether he will take into account, in the preparation of the clubs legislation promised by him, the Royal Commission's unanimous recommendation that no person under 18 should be supplied with liquor in clubs?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)I have made inquiry, and I find that the facts of this case are as stated by the hon. Member, and that proceedings were successfully taken for breach of the provisions of the Licensing Act relating to the supply of liquor from a club for off-consumption. It would not appear that the existing law is inadequate to deal with offences such as were committed in the present case, but the recommendation of the Royal Commission to which the hon. Member refers, together with the other recommendations of that Commission relating to clubs, will be duly considered in connection with the proposed clubs legislation.
§ Mr. MESSERWhile it may be admitted that the law as it stands is adequate to deal with the offence after it has been commited, does not the hon. Gentleman think that the suggestion in the question would prevent the offence being committed?