Bouncers (Hansard, 30 October 1996)

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to regulate or license bouncers or the security companies which employ them. [404]

§ Mr. Maclean
We encourage the regulation of door supervisors through local registration schemes in which training and criminal record checks on door supervisors are a condition of obtaining a local authority entertainment licence. The Government published guidance on the operation of registration schemes in January this year.

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has(a) commissioned, (b) undertaken and (c) completed on possible links between doormen and bouncers and the sale of drugs to young people at pubs, clubs and fast food outlets. [406]

§ Mr. Sackville
No such research has been commissioned by the Home Office. But we have been informed by the police and other agencies that drug dealers often target clubs and similar venues frequented by young people and that staff, particularly those on the door, can condone or be a part of organised drug dealing carried out on the premises.
140W
My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 8 October a proposal to make possible the revocation of public entertainment licences and closure of premises, with immediate effect, in cases where there is clear evidence of a serious problem relating to the supply or consumption of controlled drugs on or near the premises.

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the subject of regulating doormen and bouncers. [405]

§ Mr. Maclean
Over the past 12 months, we have received a total of eight representations specifically calling for the regulation of door supervisors.

§ Mr. Allen
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Nottinghamshire on the sale of drugs by doormen and bouncers to young people. [407]

§ Mr. Maclean
No. It is an operational matter for individual chief officers how they deal with such problems. Nottinghamshire constabulary, like other forces, is committed to effective action to fight drug misuse and drug-related crime.