§ 18. Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to permit flexible licensing hours in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MellorWe have at present no plans to do so. Any decision to relax the licensing laws in England and Wales must be compatible with our strategy for helping to prevent alcohol misuse.
§ Mr. KnightDoes my hon. Friend agree that in this age of enlightenment—the age of the microchip, men in space and nuclear power—it is ludicrous that an Englishman still cannot buy a pint of beer in the middle of the afternoon or visit a public house after 11 pm? Does he agree that our archaic licensing laws should be brought up to date forthwith, to bring us more into line with the rest of Europe?
§ Mr. MellorI am much moved by the eloquence of my hon. Friend's plea. As he well knows, however, there is another case to be made, and that is about the increasing problem of alcohol abuse in our community. The arrangements that he seeks have applied in Scotland for some years and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland proposes to examine closely the impact of that. I believe that we should wait until we have the benefit of that report before reaching any final conclusions for England.
§ Mr. KeyDoes my hon. Friend agree that if ever there was a case for harmonisation with our European Community partners, it is in respect of the increasing number of British vineyards, which are not allowed to offer the degustation facilities that are available in other Community countries? Would that not be a major boost to Britain wine producers?
§ Mr. MellorThere is no doubt that this question is bringing out the best in my hon. Friends. I am sure that my hon. Friend has a point.