§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Transport why a licence has been granted to serve alcoholic drinks in a restaurant on the new London-Birmingham motorway; to what extent this practice is to be discouraged by his Department; and if he will make a statement of his policy on the question of the dangers of alcoholic drinks on the new fast motorways.
§ Mr. MarplesNo licence has been granted. Service area developers are permitted to apply for table licences only. It is for the licensing justices to decide whether to grant them. No bars, clubs or licensed premises are allowed.
The Highway Code stresses the dangers of drinking while driving. This, of course, applies with special force to driving on the motorway. To ban the 15W serving of alcoholic drinks at restaurants on the motorway would be ineffectual since it would still be possible to obtain drinks elsewhere