HC Deb 29 October 1957 vol 575 c18
36. Mr. Timmons

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his proposals for an alteration to the licensing laws in Scotland.

Mr. N. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend sees no immediate prospect of introducing legislation to make any substantial amendment of the Scottish licensing law. A consolidating Bill is in preparation.

Mr. Timmons

May I thank the hon. Gentleman for the information that a consolidating Bill is projected? Does he not now believe that the present licensing laws in Scotland are totally obsolescent and do not meet the requirements of the second half of the twentieth century? He only needs to go round some industrial areas to see buses passing in different directions and cars going out at night, including Sunday nights, which are a menace to other human beings. The licensing laws are completely obsolescent and require drastic revision.

Mr. Macpherson

This is one of the subjects on which it is easier to state the problem than to solve it.