§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Christian churches in Northern Ireland concerning the proposed alteration to public house licensing laws.
§ Mr. NeedhamCopies of the proposals for draft orders, together with their explanatory documents, were sent to all the main churches in Northern Ireland. Written comments were received from a number of them, but of the main bodies only the Presbyterian Church asked for a meeting, which I held with it on 15 December 1986.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with political parties in Northern Ireland concerning the proposed alteration to pub licensing laws.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe views of the main political parties were sought in 1984 when the Government published their consultative document on Sunday opening and the range of premises permitted to sell intoxicating liquor. In March 1985 the Northern Ireland Assembly reported to the Government on that document. When the proposals for the draft Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order and the draft Registration of Clubs (Northern Ireland) Order were published in October 1986 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland wrote to the heads of the main political parties inviting their comments on the proposals. Only the Social Democratic and Labour party responded.