HC Deb 18 February 1971 vol 811 cc2104-5
16. Dr. Gilbert

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to compel all holders of public house licences to maintain a part of their premises with public bar facilities and public bar prices.

Mr. Carlisle

Licensing justices already have power to secure this. It will be for the Committee on Liquor Licensing, now in course of appointment, to consider whether more is required.

Dr. Gilbert

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his answer, but does he not accept that there is the germ of a serious problem here? As public bars are increasingly squeezed out of existence, there will be nowhere for the ordinary working man, coming home in his working clothes and probably with mud on his boots, to have a quiet drink. Secondly, it is important for the old-age pensioner to be able to get his beer at the cheapest possible price consistent with hygiene.

Mr. Carlisle

I am sure that we all agree that there is a place for the public bar in the English public house, but this must in the end be a matter of commercial judgment. The licensing justices have power to decide whether premises are suitable, and they also have to agree to any later adaptation of the premises that may be made.

Mr. Waddington

Should not we be trying to get rid of the out-moded restrictions on licensees rather than adding to those restrictions? Has not the time come for a speedy review of the whole of our licensing laws?

Mr. Carlisle

That is why my right hon. Friend has set up a Committee on Liquor Licensing, the Chairman of which will be the right hon. Lord Eroll of Hale. We hope that that review will take place as speedily as possible.