§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, where under Section 13 of the Inland Revenue Act, 1862, a licensed trader applies to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for an occasional licence to sell liquors at a place other than his licensed premises, such application having the consent in writing of a justice of the peace usually acting in the district within which the place of sale is situate, the Inland Revenue authorities have authority or power to refuse to grant such occasional licence; whether he is aware that in the case of a licensed trader in Holywood, county Down, Ireland, presenting a consent in writing duly signed by a justice of the peace authorising the issue of an occasional licence in connection with the 12th July holiday, the Inland Revenue authorities in Belfast declined to grant the same; and whether he will take steps to secure that the Inland Revenue authorities at Belfast are not permitted to override the statutory powers conferred on 1459W a justice of the peace signing the consent referred to, as stipulated by Section 13 of the Inland Revenue Act, 1862?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGESection 13 of the Revenue Act, 1862, authorises the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to issue occasional licences for the sale of intoxicating liquor, with the written consent of justices of the peace, whenever the Commissioners consider it conducive to public convenience, comfort, and order. I cannot therefore admit that the Commissioners exceed their powers in refusing an occasional licence in a specific case.