HC Deb 28 January 1941 vol 368 cc412-3
32. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the position of licence holders concerning hours when premises shall open in Glasgow, in view of the recent Court of Session decision in which the action of Glasgow magistrates was overturned; and whether he will review future decisions of magistrates to prevent such cases arising in future?

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I am advised that the permitted hours in Glasgow are now those laid down in the proviso to Sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Licensing Act, 1921. The magistrates will have an opportunity of reconsidering these hours at their meeting in April next. I have no authority to review the decisions of magistrates sitting at a licensing court.

Mr. McGovern

Is it not the case that if the Secretary of State for Scotland had reviewed this decision and had pointed out to the magistrates that they had exceeded their authority, the trouble would never have arisen, and is it not proper to review decisions of licensing courts?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member is asking me to do what I have no power to do.