HC Deb 14 July 1952 vol 503 cc1805-7
52. Mr. Bing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the sum determined as compensation for acquisition by his Department under Part 1 of the Licensing Act, 1949, for existing licensed premises in each of the New Towns; the date when this sum was determined; and the method by which it was determined.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth)

No such sum has been determined. The previous Government included in the Estimates for 1951–52 a sum of £1 million which, I understand, was a rough estimate of the cost of acquiring about 100 existing licensed premises in four of the English new towns. No steps, however, were taken towards determining the actual cost of acquiring any of them.

Mr. Bing

As the Session is now to be terminated before the Licensed Premises in New Towns Bill will be completed, will the hon. Gentleman say whether he will take immediate steps to see that these sums are determined so that we can discuss the matter on the appropriate Supplementary Estimate?

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

I do not accept the implication in the hon. and learned Member's question, the answer to which is in the negative.

53. Mr. Bing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in respect of each new town in England and Wales, the number of premises licensed solely for the sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption off those premises.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

I will circulate a table giving this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the table:

EXISTING OFF-LICENSED PREMISES IN NEW TOWNS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
New Towns and Number of off-licensed premises
Basildon 5
Bracknell 4
Crawley 4
Corby 4
Cwmbran 7
Harlow 3
Hemel Hempstead 16
Newton Aycliffe —
Peterlee —
Stevenage 3
Welwyn Garden City —
Hatfield 2
Total 48

The following Questions stood upon the Order Paper:

54 and 55. Mr. HALE

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether any person is registered in accordance with Section 51 of the Licensing (Consolidation) Act, 1910, as the owner of "The Fortune of War" public house, Laindon, "The Railway Hotel," Laindon, "The Railway Hotel," Pitsea, "The Jolly Cricketers," Nevendon and "The Barge Inn," "The Bull Hotel" and "The Five Bells," Vange; and who are the registered owners of these public houses;

(2) whether any person is registered in accordance with Section 51 of the Licensing (Consolidation) Act, 1910, as the owner of "The Black Bull" public house and of "The Royal George" public house, Old Shotton, Peterlee; and who are the registered owners of these public houses.

Mr. Braine

On a point of order. May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker? Question No. 54 relates to a number of excellent public houses in my constituency, though the hon. Gentleman who proposed to ask the Question did not inform me of his intention or that be would not be present today. As this matter affects the interests of my constituents, is there any way in which the Question can be answered?

Mr. Speaker

None at all, now.

Mr. Shinwell

As Question No. 55 refers to public houses in my division, may I say, Sir, that I am delighted that other hon. Members take an interest in my constituency?

Mr. Bing

Further to that point of order. May I say, Sir, to make the matter clear, that my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. Hale) put down a Question, which followed on one of mine, in reply to which the Home Secretary said that he had no idea who owned any public houses anywhere?

56. Mr. Bing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in respect of each new town in Scotland, the number of premises for which a certificate has been granted under Part VII of the Licensing (Scotland) Act, 1903, distinguishing in each case those certificates which relate to the sale solely of excisable liquor for consumption off the premises.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Henderson Stewart)

Five in East Kilbride and one in Glenrothes. One of the certificates in East Kilbride is a grocer's certificate (which authorises sale for off-consumption only).

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could the hon. Gentleman assure us that none of these licences will be given in my constituency?

Mr. Bing

Could the Under-Secretary say what will be the cost of acquiring these licences?

Mr. Stewart

If the hon. and learned Gentleman likes to put a question down, I will try to answer it.

Mr. Woodburn

Is it not the case that it is not necessary to acquire these licences, because they come to an end at the end of each year if not renewed?

Mr. Stewart

The right hon. Gentleman should inform his hon. and learned Friend on these matters.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Does the hon. Gentleman know who are the owners of these premises, or in whose names these licensed premises are registered?

Mr. Stewart

I shall be glad to answer that question also if it is put on the Order Paper.