What occupies a scoundrel in pub? (8)
I believe the answer is:
alehouse
'pub?' is the definition.
(alehouse is a kind of public house)
'what occupies a scoundrel' is the wordplay.
'what' becomes 'eh' (sound used to ask 'what?' or 'pardon?').
'occupies' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters occupy or enter the word).
'scoundrel' becomes 'louse' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a'+'louse'='alouse'
'eh' going into 'alouse' is 'ALEHOUSE'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for alehouse that I've seen before include "Old pub" , "drinks here?" , "Hostelry (of old)" , "the nineteenth?" , "old tavern" .)