§ Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his intentions regarding the bringing into effect of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976.
§ Mr. MillanThe provisions repealing the requisitioning of temperance polls came into effect on Royal Assent.
Many of the Act's provisions, including those enabling licence holders of public houses to apply for Sunday permitted hours, depend on the constitution of the new licensing boards following the district council elections and cannot come into effect until after 1st July 1977.
The change of the evening closing hours from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. under Section 53 and the further extensions for drinks with meals under Sections 57 and 58 are not tied to the creation of licensing boards. They are, like other permitted hours, permissive and not obligatory. I intend to make a commencement order which will enable licence holders to make use of these extensions from Monday. 13th December 1976.