asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the discontent among frequenters of working-men's social clubs, as in Birmingham, because of the licensing laws which, if strictly applied, allow insufficient time to consume drinks ordered before the actual closing time; and if he will amend the law so as to oblige local licensing authorities to grant some such time as is needed for this purpose so that drinks already bought may be consumed at leisure.

No, Sir. I have received no complaints on this subject, and I can hold out no prospect of an amendment of the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will amend the Licensing (Metropolitan Special Hours Area) Order, 1949, in order to enable him to consider applications from persons outside the area as at present defined.

No, Sir.

Does the Minister mean by that answer that he has no discretion at all to consider applications which may come from only a few yards outside these defined areas?

No, Sir. I have such discretion, but I do not think that I have sufficient experience yet to be able to use it properly.