§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE EARL OF ERNEMy Lords, the objects of this Bill are—(a) to put applications in Ireland for spirit grocers' retail licences and beer retail licences (in each case for consumption off the premises) on the same footing; (b) to extend to Irish licensing authorities in respect of such licences the powers of the English Act of 1882 (45 and 46 Vict. c. 34). The Bill becomes necessary because as the Act of 1882 only provided in terms against its application to Scotland it was considered, until a recent decision in the Irish Courts to the contrary, that it inferentially applied to Ireland as well as to England. The Bill has passed through the House of 212 Commons, and has, I believe, the full assent of the Government of Ireland.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(The Earl of Erne.)
§ THE EARL OF DENBIGHThe Bill which the noble Earl has brought before the House has the approval of the Irish Government, but I shall have a few drafting Amendments to move when the Bill is in Committee.
§ On Question, agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Thursday next.