HL Deb 25 March 1996 vol 570 cc1559-60

8.32 p.m.

The Earl of Courtown rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 19th February be approved [13th Report from the Delegated Powers Scrutiny Committee].

The noble Earl said: My Lords, the order is to be made under the powers provided in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. It relates to two aspects of the provision of facilities for drinking alcohol at late night dances.

The order makes two substantive changes to existing laws. First, it provides for the reinstatement of the hour which would otherwise be lost to both operators and patrons of establishments which are authorised under the licensing laws to open into the small hours when the clocks go forward at 1 a.m. at the start of summer time. Secondly, it introduces a new arrangement, that of granting these special hours certificates on a provisional basis. This provision will provide a parallel with existing arrangements for the grant of standard liquor licences.

The order has received the usual comprehensive examination since it was first laid before Parliament in draft form in November. No changes to the order have been proposed, and it has been reported by the Delegated Powers Scrutiny Committee as in a form satisfactory to be submitted to this House for affirmative resolution. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 19th February be approved [13th Report from the Delegated Powers Scrutiny Committee].—(The Earl of Courtown.)

Lord Haskel

My Lords, we on this side of the House have no objection to the order and give it our support. We have just one question. What happens when the clocks go back in the autumn?

The Earl of Courtown

My Lords, when the clocks go back in the autumn, the Government have decided not to attempt to extract a quid pro quo. The hour which is presently gained when summer time ends will not be taken away from those wanting to dance into the early hours.

Lord Haskel

My Lords, it is not our wish to be killjoys. We have no objection to the Motion.

On Question, Motion agreed to.