The Licensing Bill based on the recommendations of the Conference
of Members of Parliament, presided over by the Attorney-General, was introduced on Tuesday. The Bill will apply to the whole of Great Britain. The licensing justices will be the authority in each area. Subject to special exceptions, the earliest hour at which liquor may be supplied on weekdays will be 11 a.m., and the latest hour 10 p.m. The special excep- tions allow liquor to be bought in London up to 11 p.m., and outside London the justices are given the discretion to make the hour earlier or later, but not later than 10.30 p.m. The maximum number of hours of sale in general per day is to be nine in London and eight elsewhere. The sale of liquor is to cease for at least two hours in the afternoon. Although 11 o'clock is the closing hour for public-houses in London, drinks may be consumed up till 12.30 a.m. in hotels and restaurants, and up to 11.30 in licensed houses and clubs when drunk with meals. The hours of sale on Sundays are to be five, not more than two of which shall be between noon and 3 o'clock, and not more than three between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
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