HC Deb 27 March 1995 vol 257 cc470-1W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15558]

Mr. Michael Forsyth

A reply by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs, in response to a similar question today from my hon. Friend, sets out the targets across the Government. In the Home Office our targets for deregulation include the following:

Liquor licensing

  • Abolish the compulsory afternoon break in licensing hours on Sundays, Christmas day and Good Friday for both on-licensed and off-licensed premises and for registered clubs, and permit 471 of-licensed sales from 10 am on these days, through the Licensing (Sunday Hours) Bill;
  • abolition of "the long-pull offence" by the repeal of section 165 of the Licensing Act 1964;
  • amend the rules for special hours certificates so that discotheques and other places where public dancing takes place do not effectively have to close an hour early when the clock goes forward to British summer time in the spring.

Gambling

  • Issue a consultation paper on removing restrictions applying to casinos and bingo clubs;
  • extend the duration to three years, from one, and provide for simplified renewal procedure for bookmakers permits and betting office licences, contained in the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963;
  • relax existing controls over greyhound racing contained in the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963;
  • removal of certain restrictions on betting offices facilities under the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 concerning the supply of refreshments, displays of information and television screens;
  • increase the number of jackpot machines allowed in casinos, licensed bingo clubs and registered members clubs under section 31 of the Gaming Act 1968;
  • allow all-cash amusement-with-prizes machines in adult premises, including betting shops.

Charities

  • Following up proposals made by the charities and voluntary organisations task force.

Others

  • Abolition of the licence to kill game contained in the Game Act 1831 and 1860;
  • abolition of pedlars certificates by the repeal of the Pedlars Acts 1871 and 1881.