HC Deb 18 October 1968 vol 770 cc757-9

Lords Amendment No. 37: In page 37, line 34, leave out "and with the consent of".

Mr. Elystan Morgan

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

This Amendment is intended to meet the criticism of Clause 43 that if the police or gaming inspectors were obstructed when seeking to enter licensed premises or inspect the equipment and accounts there in the absence of the licence holder, no offence could be brought to him. The Amendment deletes the words "and with the consent of" and, therefore, widens the scope of liability somewhat.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 38: In page 39, line 23, at end insert: ( ) In the case of any premises in respect of which a licence under this Act is for the time being in force, any person duly authorised in writing by the fire authority (within the meaning of the Fire Services Act 1947) in whose area the premises are situated may at any reasonable time enter the premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether appropriate precautions against the danger of fire are being sufficiently observed; and in relation to a person so authorised subsection (3) of this section (with the omission of paragraphs (c) and (d)) shall have effect as if in that sub-section—

  1. (a) any reference to an inspector or constable were a reference to a person so authorised, and
  2. (b) the reference in paragraph (a) to subsection (2) of this section were a reference to the preceding provisions of this subsection."

Mr. Elystan Morgan

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

The Amendment gives officers duly authorised by the fire authority the right to enter a licensed club at any reasonable time to see whether the fire precautions are being observed. The Government have given further consideration to this point, and I can, I think, chivalrously congratulate hon. Gentlemen opposite who raised this matter on Report and now find that their advocacy was not in vain.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 39: in page 39, line 25, leave out "£100" and insert "£200".

Mr. Elystan Morgan

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

The Amendment raises from £100 to £200 the maximum fine which may be imposed on summary conviction of an offence under the Clause of obstructing the police or a Gaming Board inspector. Since these inspections are so important and constitute such an integral part of the Bill's structure, I trust that the House will not find the new maximum excessive.

Mr. Buck

We should like to know why. Is this a recognition by the Government of the rapid rate of inflation since this matter was first raised? The sudden doubling of the fine suggests simply that someone in the Home Office thought that it was a little low. Is there any real reason for this? Are the Government simply changing their mind?

Mr. Morgan

Perhaps, by your leave, Mr. Speaker, and by leave of the House, I may be allowed to say that, of the two sums, the sum of £200 seems to be by far the more appropriate.

Question put and agreed to.

Forward to