HC Deb 16 June 2003 vol 407 cc138-9
Dr. Howells

I beg to move amendment No. 69, in page 21, line 11, leave out from 'licence' to end and insert 'may—

  1. (a) if the licence authorises the supply of alcohol, or
  2. (b) if he has applied under section 33 to vary the licence so that it authorises such supplies,'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this it will be convenient to discuss Government amendments Nos. 70, 88, 89, 120, 121, 98, 122 to 131, 99 and 102.

Dr. Howells

This is a group of minor technical amendments. Government amendments Nos. 69 and 70 are minor amendments perfecting the drafting of the Bill in relation to applications to vary the individual specified in a premises licence as the designated premises supervisor. It is only for premises licences authorising the supply of alcohol that a designated premises supervisor is required, because of the particular issues that arise from the supply and consumption of alcohol and the responsibilities that go with that.

The centrality to the system of the concept of the designated premises supervisor has been discussed at great length in Committee and in another place, together with a number of modifications that the Government have made to the Bill in response to various representations by the industry and by other bodies. Clause 36 provides that the holder of a premises licence may apply to vary the licence to specify a new premises supervisor.

Mr. Frank Field (Birkenhead)

On behalf of the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) and myself—we are, respectively, chairmen of the Historic Chapels Trust and the Churches Conservation Trust—I thank the Government for giving us the undertaking in correspondence that our organisations will be exempt, provided that we fulfil the religious qualification under the Bill. May I also use this opportunity to thank, through the Minister, his staff for the care that they have taken in negotiating those concessions?

Dr. Howells

I take great pleasure in saying that I will convey my thanks to the staff, who worked very hard on that. My right hon. Friend has done the House a great service in persuading us that we should look again at the issue of historic churches. He will guarantee that many of them remain as great cultural and historical assets for this country.

Government amendments Nos. 88 and 89 are technical amendments to improve the drafting of clauses 148 to 150 to achieve consistency with similar provisions in the Bill.

Amendment agreed to.

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