HL Deb 18 June 1982 vol 431 cc770-1

11.22 a.m.

Lord Spens

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what effect the licensing laws of Scotland in respect of flexible hours of opening of public houses in some areas is having on the communities in those areas.

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the Government have no firm information on the effects of the extension of permitted hours in Scotland, nor have they received any representations that the increased hours have had any adverse effects.

Lord Spens

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that rather inconclusive reply, may I ask if he can say whether there is any indication that there has been any large increase in the consumption of alcohol as a result of the change?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the Government would not be able to indicate the consumption of alcohol in Scotland, but I am able to say that there has been no significant increase in drunkenness offences or motor vehicle offences caused through drink since the 1976 Act came into force. Lord Campbell of Croy: My Lords, I am sure the House will be interested to hear that confirmation by the Minister, that since the licensing hours in Scotland were relaxed six years ago there has been no increase in drunkenness. Can my noble friend say whether, in view of the way the report of the Clayson Committeee for Scotland was followed in making that change, the Government have any intention of doing anything about the similar report for England and Wales which was put forward by a committee presided over by my noble friend Lord Erroll of Hale?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I am afraid I cannot give any indication of the Government's views or wishes as to the consumption of alcohol in England and Wales.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

The question of the consumption of alcohol in Wales is a very delicate matter, especially on Sundays, my Lords.

Lord John-Mackie

My Lords, before asking my supplementary, I had better declare an interest in that my brother Maitland was a member of the committee which recommended the change. Would the Minister agree that it is much better to have civilised drinking, rather than the backdoor stuff we had before the remission was made?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, the whole House will be glad to have that endorsement from a fellow Scot.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, does the reference in the Question to flexible hours mean that barmaids cannot get an evening off occasionally?

Lord Lyell

I understand that the answer to that is, no, my Lords.