HC Deb 17 November 1960 vol 630 c548
36. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public houses in the Carlisle and District State Management Scheme are let to tenants; and under what authority such leases are made.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Dennis Vosper)

One in the Carlisle State Management District and eleven outside the District but which belong to the State Management Scheme. They are let under powers conferred on the Secretary of State by the Licensing Act, 1953.

Dr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have not been able to find this in the Licensing Act, 1953? Will he look at the whole question of licensing and rectify anomalies in the scheme in this respect? Will he also look at the possibility of leasing more houses than are leased at the present time?

Mr. Vosper

I think that if my hon. Friend looks at the Ninth Schedule he will find that there is sufficient power there. It would extend only to the letting of a small number of licensed houses, and further legislation might well be necessary to let off a substantial number.