§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers Parliament has granted local authorities on the Isle of Wight(a) to refuse pop festivals and (b) to regulate pop festivals.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 enables district councils in England and Wales outside Greater London to adopt powers requiring the licensing of outdoor musical entertainments held on private land. The grant or refusal of a licence is at the discretion of the council. Licences may be issued subject to conditions concerning safety, public hygiene and prevention of unreasonable noise disturbance. I understand that each of the two district councils on the Isle of Wight has adopted these powers.