§ Mr. HillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to review the laws appertaining to illegal drinking establishments with a view to granting confiscatory powers for properties and moneys and increasing penalties for those found guilty.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have no plans to review the penalties for selling liquor without a licence. Recent sentencing practice suggests that the current maximum penalty of a level 4 fine, which the Criminal Justice Bill will increase from £1,000 to £2,500, and six months' imprisonment adequately reflect the seriousness of the offence. There is already a power to order the forfeiture of property used in the commission of such an offence and to disqualify the offender from holding a licence upon a second or subsequent conviction.