§ 28. Mr. WolfsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to deter excessive drinking; and if he will make a statement.
§ 46. Mr. IrvineTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to deter stupid and excessive drinking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have strengthened the law on sales to under-age drinkers and increased the penalties, strengthened the power of licensing justices by giving them a new discretion to decide whether or not to grant late-night drinks extensions, and to revoke when justified current licences for licensed premises. We have issued crime prevention advice and guidance to the police and courts on the powers available to deal with outbreaks of disorder and infringements of the licensing laws. We have approved the pilot project in Coventry and six other towns to test the effectiveness of a byelaw making it an offence to drink alcohol in designated streets and other public places. Action on the wider aspects of alcohol misuse is being taken forward by the ministerial group on alcohol misuse.