§ Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Home Secretary what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that Justices hearing applications for confirmation of licences are free of any financial interest with regard to such matters and are aware of the provisions dealing with disqualification contained in Section 40 of the Licensing Act of 1910?
§ Sir S. HoareIt is, of course, of the first importance that in numerous types of cases Justices should not adjudicate who are subject to disqualification because of the risk of bias, but I have no ground for thinking that Justices are not aware of the law on this subject.
§ Mr. Liddallasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the recent decision of the London quarter sessions to refuse to confirm a licence granted for the establishment of a large new English restaurant in the West End of London, and in view of the many licences granted in respect of foreign restaurants in the past five years, he will consider introducing legislation to improve the present position?
§ Sir S. HoareIf the suggestion is that the Licensing Authorities tend to discriminate in favour of foreign restaurants and against English restaurants, I know of no grounds for such a view. On the occasion in question I understand three applications for new licences were refused and one of these was in respect of a foreign restaurant.