§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions were mounted for offences in connection with under-age drinking; and how many convictions resulted in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. RifkindThe available information is set out in the table.
Under age drinking offences, Scotland 1988 Offence Persons proceeded against Persons with a charge proved Sale of drink to persons under 18 270 106 Person under 18 buying alcoholic liquor or consuming alcoholic liquor in a bar 190 189 Purchasing alcoholic liquor for consumption by person under 18 96 87
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many applications for late licences for public houses were granted under section 64 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 in the last year for which figures are available;
(2) how many public house licences were in operation in 1976 in Scotland and at the latest available date; and, in each case, how many public houses per thousand of the population this represents;
(3) how many licences for the sale of liquor were in operation in Scotland in 1976 and at the latest available date; and, in each case, how many licences per thousand of the population this represents.
§ Mr. RifkindFive thousand six hundred and four extensions of permitted hours were granted in 1980 in respect of licensed premises in Scotland. Separate figures in respect of public houses and afternoon or evening extensions are not available. I refer the hon. Member to table 4.4 of civil judicial statistics Scotland 1980 (Cmnd. 8710).
In 1976 there were 4,132 public house licences in force in Scotland, which represented 0.79 public houses per 1,000 of the Scottish population at that time. In 1980, the latest year for which official figures are available, there were 4,472 public house licences in operation, representing 0.86 public houses per 1,000 of the population.
In 1976 there were 14,781 liquor licences in force in Scotland, representing 2.83 licences per 1,000 of the Scottish population at that time. In 1980, the latest year for which official figures are available, there were 16,412 liquor licences in operation, which represented 3.16 licences per 1,000 of the population.
The collection and publication of liquor licensing statistics in Scotland was discontinued after 1980, following consultation with the police and local authorities on the use being made of the statistics. Information on licensing statistics up to 1980 was contained in the annual civil judicial statistics Scotland; and unofficial estimates for later years are contained in the annual Brewers Society statistical handbook. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.