§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the growing practice of the police expressing their opinion as to applications for extension of licensing hours on public holidays; and whether he will issue a circular to all police authorities to the effect that such applications should be decided with regard to public convenience rather than to police preference?
§ Sir J. GILMOUR:It is, I believe, a matter of general and long-established practice that the opinion and experience of the police should be at the disposal of the Justices when applications for extension of the permitted hours are under consideration, and it seems clearly desirable that this practice should continue. I have no information which would justify me in issuing any such circular as suggested in the second part of the question.
§ Mr. HUTCHISONasked the Home Secretary whether any instructions have been issued by him to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police with regard to granting special extension of hours in licensed houses on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day; and, if not, whether he will issue such instructions in view of the fact that such extensions are to be granted in respect of licensed houses on the immediate outskirts of the Metropolitan area?
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§ Sir J. GILMOUR:The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, it is incumbent on the Commissioner to consider each application separately and on its merits, in accordance with the principle laid down in a judgment of the High Court, and I am advised it would not be proper for me to issue Any such instructions as my hon. Friend suggests.