HC Deb 21 November 1979 vol 974 cc271-2W
Mr. Wellbeloved

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is in a position to draw any conclusions from the recent changes in Scottish licensing hours; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rifkind

Scotland still suffers from a very serious problem of misuse of alcohol and the changes in the licensing law cannot be claimed to have had a major effect on that problem. On the other hand, attempts, some of which are still proceeding, to establish the early effects of the changes do not suggest that they have been harmful but that they have had some beneficial effect.

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