§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he has seen the recent decision of the King's Bench in Ireland, which laid down that, under the Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) Act, 1906, a bonâ fide traveller requiring to be served with groceries in licensed premises on Sunday must take intoxicating liquors so as to bring himself within the law; and what steps does he propose to take to deal with such a situation?
§ Mr. BIRRELLSome years ago the King's Bench Division, Ireland, held that, under the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquors (Ireland) Act, 1906, premises where mixed business is carried on cannot548W be opened during prohibited hours even for the sale of non-intoxicants. The recent decision referred to in the question establishes that the premises cannot be opened for the sale of non-intoxicants even where the purchaser has travelled more than three miles, but it does not affect the right, expressly preserved by the Statute, of bonâ fide travellers to be served with drink in licensed premises during prohibited hours for their own consumption on such premises. I do not contemplate any action in the matter, the necessity for which is urged by the hon. Member under some misapprehension as to the precise effect of the judicial decision.