Berkeley advised the delegates to confer among themselves, and to consider well the course which would be most beneficial for them to pursue. _He would postpone for a week his motion for a Select Committee...._ Eventually his advice was accepted, and on June 26, 1855, his motion for a Select Committee was agreed to by the House--Mr. Cobbett, the seconder, remarking that no legislation could be attempted that session.[235] In 1860, Mr. Gladstone’s _Wine Licences Act_ was passed. This measure permitted foreign wines to be sold for consumption on the premises to various classes of refreshment houses. It gave concurrent power to grocers, &c., to sell those wines in bottles for consumption off the premises. The introducer of this measure, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, stated that the proposal was not intended merely as a means of raising revenue, but as one carrying out the principles of free trade, and contributing to the comforts and conveniences of the people.[236] The following statistics have been carefully gathered by Mr. Samuelson, from which some estimate may be formed of the effect produced by this legislation of Mr. Gladstone:--Beginning with the year 1859, the wine imported from France was 695,911 gallons; from Spain and Portugal, 4,893,916 gallons; whilst in 1876 the wine imported from France was 6,745,710 gallons, and from Spain and Portugal, 10,186,332 gallons. The importation of strong wines had therefore actually fallen below the average of 1863-65, whilst that of French wine had increased tenfold by the reduction of the duty.[237] In 1863, Mr. J. Somes introduced into Parliament his _Sunday Closing Bill_, which proposed to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors, except to _bonâ fide_ travellers, from eleven o’clock on Saturday night to six o’clock Monday morning. The Bill was rejected. In March 1864, Sir W. Lawson introduced into the House his _Permissive Bill_; which provides that on application of any district, the votes of the ratepayers shall be taken as to whether the traffic shall exist in that district or not; a majority of two-thirds of the ratepayers being necessary to decide the question. This Bill was the embodiment of the principles of the ‘United Kingdom Alliance.’ In 1868, the Bill of Mr. John Abel Smith was rejected; which, while prohibiting Sunday drinking on the premises, allowed four hours for the sale of dinner and supper beer.