Captain MURRAYasked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that a licence has been granted to a grocer in Penicuik under the provisions of Section 2 of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908; whether there are two registered chemists who are qualified poison vendors within the jurisdiction of the town council of Penicuik; whether the Act of 1908 contemplated the granting of local licences in neighbourhoods where the reasonable requirements of the public with respect to the purchase of poisons are satisfied; and, if not, whether he will consider the propriety of taking steps to have the licence referred to in the first part of the question cancelled?
§ Mr. UREThe question of the grant of licences under Section 2 of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, is one entirely within the discretion of the local authority so long as the terms of the Act are not infringed. The Act charges the local authority with the duty of considering whether the reasonable requirements of the public are satisfied, and these requirements may not, in some cases, be met through the facilities given by chemists. There is no provision in the Act for cancelling a licence granted by the local authority.