HC Deb 11 May 1998 vol 312 cc14-5
15. Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston)

If he will review current licensing arrangements to provide for café bar licensing. [40277]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. George Howarth)

My hon. Friend wil be aware that, last week, we announced that there will be a review of the licensing system. As part of that review, I shall look at existing licensing provisions for café bars.

Ms Stuart

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. I believe that the Birmingham magistrates licensing courts committee is the largest in the country, and this is an important issue for a city such as Birmingham that has many overseas visitors. Can my hon. Friend give me an idea of the time scale for that review? When will we be able to give the Birmingham magistrates courts committee a more concrete reply?

Mr. Howarth

I am afraid that my hon. Friend will have to wait a little longer before she can give the Birmingham magistrates courts committee a more concrete reply. With co-operation from the industry, magistrates and others, including the police, we hope to modernise the licensing system—while balancing that with a proper and responsible approach to protecting neighbourhoods that are often plagued by disorder at chucking-out time.