§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Eccelesiastical Commissioners, if he will state the number of houses licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors, other than with grocers' licences only, of which new leases have been granted or leases renewed by or on behalf 2586W of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners since the Return of 1883; the number of houses with grocers' licences only; whether the public-houses on the Metropolitan estates of the Commissioners mentioned in the Return of 1907 were all newly-licensed; will he give the total number of new licences for public-houses, inns and hotels, and grocers which have been sanctioned or permitted by the Commissioners since the Return of 1883; and whether the Commissioners will make another Return showing their position and intention as to dropping leases as and when leases fall in?
§ Sir C. NICHOLSONThe number of licensed houses of which new leases or renewed leases have been granted by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners since 1883 is seventy-nine. I am unable to state the number of houses on the Commissioners' estates to which grocers' licences may be attached. The public-houses mentioned in the Return of 1907 were on estates developed by or under the Commissioners, and the licences were therefore new. The total number of new licences created on the Commissioners' estates for public-houses, inns, or hotels since 1883 is two. I have no record of grocers' licences allowed since that date, but the number is very small. As there has been no change in the Commissioners' policy as to the reduction of licences they would not be prepared to make a fresh Return.