The Earl of Mintopresented a petition from the Presbytery of Jedburgh, in Scotland, complaining of the granting of licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors to toll-houses, and small ale-houses in Scotland.
The Duke of Buccleuchadmitted the evils of the existing system; but it only obtained in certain districts of Scotland. He should beglad to see the whole system abolished; but there was a difficulty in doing this, in consequence of money having been lent on the security of the roads, and these toll-houses, by selling spirits, were supposed to add to the security looked to by the lenders.
§ Lord Abingerbore testimony to the evils complained of, and thought both the spirit-licensing system and the licenses for the sale of beer were fit subjects for their Lordships' consideration.