§ Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received a second report from the Working Group to Review Public Policies on Pop Festivals; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe working group has submitted its final report "Pop Festivals and their Problems", which is being published today.
The report shows that there is no easy way of dealing with the problems to which some pop festivals give rise. The working group concluded that a licensing system would not overcome the drawbacks of existing law or be effective in dealing with the fundamental problems of unauthorised free festivals. Some members of the working group felt that a licensing system would be worth while despite its shortcomings, but most felt that the balance of argument lay against the introduction of such a system. The Government accept the majority view.
362WI am grateful to my noble Friend Lady Stedman and to the other members of the working group for the work they have put in to producing a report which sets out the issues so clearly.