§ LORD ABERDAREmoved an Address for Returns relating to the working of the Licensing Act of 1872. The noble Lord said that his object in moving for these Returns was not to make a speech, but that their Lordships should be fully informed as to the working of the Licensing Act of 1872 before they were called upon to consider the Intoxicating Liquors Bill now about to be brought up from the other House. The first three documents were at the Home Office at the time of the late Government, and he thought they ought to have them as well as those more recently received at the Home Office on the same subject; so that they might be in a position fully to judge of the working of the Act of 1872, and the effect it had had in securing public order.
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Moved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty for—
Return of reports to the Home Secretary by the mayor of Manchester, the stipendiary magistrate of Hull, and the chief constable of Blackburn on the working of the Licensing Act of 1872; and of such other reports by local authorities, stipendiary magistrates, or chief constables on the same subject, not being of a private character, made to the Home Office during the years 1873 and 1874.—(The Lord Aberdare.)
THE DUKES OF RICHMONDsaid, he was as anxious as the noble Lord that the fullest information should be before the House on this subject. He would take care that every document that could assist their deliberations should be on the Table of the House. There could be no possible objection to giving the Returns asked for.
§ Motion agreed to.