§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representation he has received on problems arising from the granting of special hours certificates under section 77 of the Licensing Act 1964 as extensions to standard licences; what plans he has to alter the licensing arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [10517]
§ Mr. KirkhopeWe have received a number of representations from the licensed trade about a 1995 Crown court judgment, whose effect appears to be to restrict premises which hold a special hours certificate from operating as public houses during the day and as discotheques at night. I understand that a test case, sponsored by the trade, received judgment in the High Court on 16 December, and that the plaintiffs have been given leave to take the matter to the Court of Appeal. We shall continue to monitor developments closely, and will
48W
£ million (unless otherwise stated) Capped expenditure limit Police rule 2 grant Police rule 3 grant Aggregate for Aggregate for Increase over Increase over Per cent. 1996–97 1997–98 1996–97 1997–98 1997–98 1996–97 1997–98 1996–97 1996–97 Police Authorities Avon and Somerset 154.1 159.0 0.5 1.6 0.0 154.6 160.6 6.0 3.9 Bedfordshire 57.3 59.2 0.2 0.6 0.0 57.5 59.8 2.2 3.9 Cambridgeshire 66.2 68.3 0.3 0.8 0.0 66.5 69.1 2.6 4.0 Cheshire 98.2 101.3 0.4 1.1 0.0 98.6 102.4 3.9 3.9 Cleveland 73.2 75.6 0.2 0.6 0.0 73.4 76.2 2.8 3.8 Cumbria 57.9 59.7 0.2 0.6 0.0 58.1 60.3 2.2 3.8 Derbyshire 92.1 95.3 0.3 1.0 0.0 92.4 96.3 3.9 4.2 Devon and Cornwall 152.9 157.8 0.6 1.8 0.0 153.5 159.6 6.1 4.0 Dorset 67.8 70.0 0.3 0.8 0.0 68.1 70.8 2.7 3.9 Durham 71.3 73.6 0.2 0.7 0.0 71.5 74.3 2.7 3.8 Essex 152.9 157.8 0.6 1.7 0.0 153.5 159.5 6.0 3.9 Gloucestershire 58.3 60.2 0.2 0.6 0.0 58.5 60.8 2.3 3.9 Hampshire 174.9 180.5 0.7 2.0 0.0 175.6 182.5 6.9 3.9 Hertfordshire 90.1 93.0 0.3 1.0 0.0 90.4 94.0 3.6 3.9 Humberside 102.8 106.1 0.3 1.0 0.0 103.1 107.1 3.9 3.8 Kent 163.6 168.9 0.6 1.8 0.0 164.2 170.7 6.4 3.9 Lancashire 163.0 168.3 0.5 1.6 0.0 163.5 169.9 6.3 3.8 Leicestershire 94.5 97.5 0.3 1.0 0.0 94.8 98.5 3.7 3.9 Lincolnshire 63.1 64.2 0.2 0.7 0.9 63.3 65.8 2.5 3.9 Norfolk 75.7 78.2 0.3 0.9 0.0 76.0 79.1 3.0 3.9 Northamptonshire 61.8 63.8 0.2 0.7 0.0 62.0 64.5 2.4 3.9 consider whether action is needed in the light of the decision of the courts.