§ 25. Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Finance Acts, 1942 and 1946, empower licensing authorities to grant certificates in suspense for the transfer of licences from one part of a district to another, without giving notice to enable objections to such transfers to be heard; and, in view of the fact that this power conflicts with long established Scottish practice, if he will amend the law so as to make the giving of notice necessary.
§ Mr. J. StuartA licensing certificate may be placed in suspense only if the premises for which it was granted suffer war damage or are compulsorily acquired. If the licensing court subsequently authorises its removal to other premises in the district, the certificate is valid only until the following spring; and the usual provisions about advertisement and objection then apply. I have received no evidence that this procedure is working unsatisfactorily.
§ Mr. FormanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of what happened in Glasgow at the licensing court last October, when two licences were transferred from one district to another and the objectors were not allowed to state their objections at the court? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that that might happen in any city or town in Scotland where there is substantial development, and that the Scottish Temperance Alliance takes a very serious view of this development?
§ Mr. StuartI can assure the hon. Gentleman that objections may be lodged by owners or occupiers of property in the neighbourhood of the premises, by the Procurator-Fiscal or by the police, and these will be heard in the Spring.