HC Deb 10 December 2002 vol 396 cc251-2W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the cost of the licensing provisions to churches and chapels; and if she will make a statement. [84505]

Dr. Howells

The estimated fees in the Regulatory Impact Assessment published with the Licensing Bill were between £100 and £500 for a premises licence with a subsequent annual charge of between £50 and £150. Fees would be set centrally by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in secondary legislation and would not be made final until that secondary legislation has been brought into force. Any variation in fee levels would most likely relate to the size of the venue so that smaller venues pay less than large ones.

The Government are aware of the concerns that some people have about the licensing of churches. We have had discussions about this issue with the Church of England and, along with other faith groups, will seek to ensure that the new licensing system does not impose an unnecessary burden on them while still providing the necessary safeguards for the public.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultations she has had with representatives of faith organisations about the Government's proposals for entertainment licences for buildings whose prime purpose is religious. [84618]

Dr. Howells

This Department has received 11 representations from different representatives of religious organisations concerning the proposal to extend the licensing requirement beyond Greater London. Among these representations, only one was from an organisation, whom officials have since met to discuss their concerns.

We sent the White Paper, that was published in April 2000, to 231 organisations in order to gain their responses in respect of our proposals. We received eight responses to this consultation from religious organisations, including one from the Churches Main Committee. None of these were concerned with the proposal to create a level playing field for churches and other places of religious worship.

The Government are aware of the concerns that some people have about the licensing of churches. We have had discussions about this issue with the Church of England and, along with other faith groups, will seek to ensure that the new licensing system does not impose an unnecessary burden on them while still providing the necessary safeguards for the public.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the licensing of religious buildings for entertainments under the provisions of the Licensing Bill extends to(a) churchyards and other open ground within the curtilage of the building and (b) other secular buildings within the curtilage of the religious building; and if she will make a statement. [84619]

Dr. Howells

A premises licence or temporary provision would be required for any place where a licensable activity is to take place, be it a church, a secular building within the curtilage of the church, or an open area within the curtilage of the church, such as a churchyard.

The application for the premises licence would have to be accompanied by an operating plan which would specify the areas that would be licensed.

The Government are aware of the concerns that some people have about the licensing of churches. We have had discussions about this issue with the Church of England and, along with other faith groups, will seek to ensure that the new licensing system does not impose an unnecessary burden on them while still providing the necessary safeguards for the public.