§ 9. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to introduce measures to implement the Erroll committee's report on liquor licensing.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Timothy Raison)The Government have at present no plans for further legislation in this area.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my hon. Friend agree that the licensing laws are out of date and in urgent need of reform? Does the Home Office ever intend to introduce the proposals in the Erroll report?
§ Mr. RaisonMy hon. Friend will know that some of the proposals in the Erroll report are being implemented. On the general point, I recognise the many anomalies that exist in this sphere. On the other hand, we recognise that there is much concern about the extent of offences connected with drink, especially among young people, and that has produced a climate in which it is difficult to make progress.
§ Mr. McNallyDoes the Minister realise that his reply is a red herring? The offences and hours correlation has not been proved. As long as the licensing hours remain unreformed, they do damage to the tourist industry and take no account of changes in leisure preference and working hours.
§ Mr. RaisonI recognise the dissatisfaction with the present situation. I can only say again that the chance of 539 achieving significant reform would be much better if there were not strongly justified anxiety about the extent of drinking, particularly among young people.