§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to reform the two in a bar system; and if she will make a statement. [62777]
§ Dr. HowellsOur plans for the modernisation of the licensing regimes were set out clearly in the White Paper "Time for Reform" (Cm.4696) published on 10 April 2000. We proposed that the current exemption from public entertainment that allows two musicians to perform live in premises licensed for the sale of alcohol should end. This is because one or two live musicians using powerful microphones and amplifiers can make more noise and so generate more nuisance for local residents than three without. Alcohol and public entertainment 935W licensing will be integrated into a single scheme. This will remove at a stroke a considerable amount of existing red tape and reduce the licensing costs which currently deter many venues from providing live music and dancing. The reforms will be implemented by means of primary legislation to be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time permits.