HC Deb 22 March 1978 vol 946 cc628-31W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence is available that there is any type of need or public demand to justify the announced proposal that liquor licensing facilities should be made available to district council leisure centres.

Mr. Dunn

A joint working party, comprised of officials of Northern Ireland district councils and officials of the Department of Education, was appointed in 1975 to examine and report upon the role of district councils in the provision of recreational and community activities. In its report it was recommended that the law be amended so that district councils, if they so wished, could apply for and be granted a liquor licence for a leisure centre.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what researches were carried out by the Departments of Education and Finance to ascertain (a) the extent to which leisure centres are used or likely to be used by minors, (b) the views of sporting and youth club organisations on the need or justification for licensed leisure centres, and (c) the views of adult parents who regularly use such centres on these matters.

Mr. Dunn

The Government's proposal to provide for licensing facilities for leisure centres on the application of the district council responsible implements a recommendation made in 1975 by a working party consisting of representatives of district councils and the Department of Education. No further research was undertaken.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations or comments have, to date, been received in favour of the announced proposals to provide liquor licensing facilities for leisure centres from (a) district councils, (b) sporting, youth or other related organisations and (c) members of the general public, respectively.

Mr. Dunn

The Northern Ireland Association of Local Authorities, which represents all 26 district councils and two individual councils, has written supporting the proposal to provide licensing facilities for leisure centres. No comments in favour of this proposal have been received from sporting, youth or other related organisations and members of the general public.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations or comments have, to date, been received expressing opposition to the announced proposals to provide liquor licensing facilities for leisure centres.

Mr. Dunn

Since 21st July 1977, when the proposal was referred to in an answer to a Question, 72 letters and 238 petition containing 21,777 signatures expressing opposition to the proposal have been received.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, in view of the fact that his announced proposals for the licensing of leisure centres has caused a concern within all sections of the population in Northern Ireland, he will now, in the light of the representations received against this proposal, refer the matter for consideration by his review body.

Mr. Dunn

No.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action was taken by the Government Departments concerned, prior to announcing their proposals for the licensing of leisure centres, to consult directly with all the 26 district councils to ascertain whether or not such councils wished to have liquor licensing facilities in these leisure centres, bearing in mind the change in composition in councils since 1973.

Mr. Dunn

As is normal practice, the Association of Local Authorities representing the 26 district councils was consulted before a joint working party on the role of district councils in the provision of recreational and community activities was established. The working party, consisting of representatives of both local and central Government, subsequently recommended that the existing licensing law be amended to allow district councils to make application for leisure centres to be licensed. In July 1977, when the Government's intention to legislate accordingly was announced, the secretary of the Association of Local Authorities confirmed that his association had again considered the matter and supported the proposal.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will state the qualifications required for the grant of a liquor licence; and explain why they have not been incorporated in the published proposals to license leisure centres, as other licensed premises are clearly defined by Section 84 of the Licensing Act 1971.

Mr. Dunn

Part 1 of the Licensing Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 sets out the necessary qualifications required for the grant and renewal of a retail liquor licence for premises as designated by Section 3(1) of that Act. The proposed amendments of the Licensing Act would allow a district council, with the agreement of Department of Finance for Northern Ireland, to apply to have a leisure centre licensed. The procedures for the grant and renewal of a licence of a centre will be as already prescribed by the 1971 Act for the other licensed premises.