Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the granting, on 8th March, 1944, in the county court of a notice to quit from the Fox and Hounds, Merston, at the instance of the brewing company, of family and wife, the licensee for 3½ years, of a serving soldier who previous to his service was the licensee; and as the application for notice to quit was refused by the licensing bench at Otley, in November and December, 1943, and the wife conducted the business to the full satisfaction of the police and the licensing justices, will he take steps to protect the home and interests of this soldier now penalised for his service in the forces.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have made some inquiries into this case. The proceedings before the Licensing Justices at Otley related to an application for the transfer of the licence. That application was refused, but the landlords gave their tenant notice to quit, and subsequently brought an action for possession in the county court. The sole question for that court was whether the landlords had established their right to regain possession of their premises, and no question arose as2306W to the fitness of the licensee to conduct the business, nor would any such question have been relevant in those proceedings. The hon. Member will appreciate that the Rent Restrictions Acts do not apply to a dwelling-house comprising licensed premises. It may well be impracticable to give protection in this class of case, but the Ministry of Health are being asked to consider the point.