HC Deb 20 March 1986 vol 94 cc397-8
2. Mr Knox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on changes in the licensing laws in England, following publication of the report of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on the effect of drinking patterns in Scotland of the Scottish licensing laws.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Douglas Hurd)

Since 4 February, when the report by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys was published, I have received 10 letters from hon. Members on behalf of constituents and 23 letters from members of the public expressing views on the permitted opening hours of licensed premises in England and Wales. Of the 33, 25 supported relaxations in the law and eight were opposed.

Mr. Knox

Does the report not show the benefits that have accrued to Scotland from the liberalisation of the licensing laws north of the border? Would not England similarly benefit from a liberalisation of its over-restrictive licensing laws? When does he intend to introduce legislation in this respect?

Mr. Hurd

I have not finished studying the Scottish report, but it disposes of some of the fears that were expressed about what would happen in Scotland. There are strong arguments for considering relaxation in England and Wales. The Government would like to be sure that they stood on firm ground before embarking on a relaxation of the law.

Mr. Nelson

Does my right hon. Friend agree that our drinking laws are not only out of date and in restraint of trade but are deeply patronising to the majority of people? Is it not high time that the law was changed, and will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the suggestion of my hon. Friend the Member for Staffordshire, Moorlands (Mr. Knox) that the Government should introduce legislative proposals as soon as possible?.

Mr. Hurd

I have a lot of sympathy with my hon. Friend. I notice that there is support for the idea in an early-day motion. I recall that there was similar support for the Auld committee report on Sunday trading, but that has not proved to be an entirely uncontroversial subject.

Mr. Stokes

Will my right hon. Friend first come to a settlement about the Sunday trading controversy before needlessly upsetting many more people over the drinking law?

Mr. Hurd

I rather anticipated my hon. Friend in my last answer. However, I have a lot of sympathy with the case for changing the laws, and I hope that the solid ground that I mentioned will materialise sooner rather than later.