§ 39. Mr. Thorneasked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information in connection with the raid made by the police on Henry's Long Bar, Oxford Street, on 26th October, when they seized £1,000 worth of liquor; how John Charles McLaughlin, managing director, was dealt with; and whether his attention has been directed to the statement made by Mr. Melvillie and Inspector Osmond in the police court?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonA company called Henry's Long Bar, Limited, of which Mr. McLaughlin is managing director, acquired licensed premises, and despite police warnings that application should be made for the transfer of the licence, con- 495 tinued the retail sale of intoxicating liquor under cover of the previous licence. The police obtained summonses against the company for selling liquor without a licence, on various dates, and against the managing director for aiding and abetting, and, as the offence continued, obtained a search warrant to seize the stocks. The summonses were heard on 26th October. On a plea of guilty, the court imposed a fine of £180 with £21 costs on the managing director and the same penalty on the company, and made an order for the liquor to be forfeited and sold, the estimated cost being between £800 and £1,000. I have seen certain Press reports of the statements referred to, and am advised that they are substantially correct.
§ Mr. ThorneCan my right hon. Friend state how the man in question obtained this amount of liquor?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir, I am afraid I do not know, and if I did I am not sure that it would be in the public interest that I should say.