§ Lord Braine of Wheatleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will issue guidance to publicans reminding them that a children's certificate is required before they can allow children under 14 years of age into the bar area. [HL334]
§ Lord Williams of MostynWe have no plans to do so. We believe that the trade is well aware of the relevant licensing law provisions.
115WA
§ Lord Braine of Wheatleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many landlords have been:
of allowing children under 14 years to be in the bar area of a public house in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [HL333]
- (a) charged;
- (b) convicted
§ Lord Williams of MostynData on the number of people charged in England and Wales are not collected centrally. However, information on the number of persons cautioned and prosecuted as well as convicted under Section 168(1) of the Licensing Act 1964 is given in table A.
Table A: Persons cautioned, prosecuted and convicted under section 168(1)1 of the Licensing Act 1964, 1992–1996 England and Wales 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Persons cautioned 5 3 3 10 3 Persons proceeded against 1 6 2 — 4 Persons found guilty 1 2 1 — 4 1Permitting person under 14 to he in bar of licensed premises during permitted hours. Information is not held centrally in Scotland on the number of persons charged. Figures are provided, in table B, on the number of persons proceeded against under Section 69(1) of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.
Table B: Persons proceeded against and persons with a Charge proved where the main offence was under section 69(1) 1of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976. 1991–1995 Scotland 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Persons proceeded against 4 4 2 3 2 Persons with a charge 3 3 2 3 2 1The holder of a licence in respect of any premises or his employee or agent shall not allow a person under 14 to he in the bar of those premises during the permitted hours. Under the Licensing Act for Northern Ireland 1971 it is an offence for children under 18 years to be on licensed premises. Available information is given in table C.
Table C: Persons proceeded against and convicted under the Licensing Act for Northern Ireland 1971, 1992–1996 Northern Ireland 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Allowing minor1 on licensed premises Persons proceeded against 2 2 3 2 4 Persons found guilty — 1 3 2 1 Allowing minors1 on licensed premises Persons proceeded against 6 1 1 1 2 Persons found guilty 3 — 1 1 2 1Minor(s) defined as aged under 18 years.