HC Deb 03 June 1980 vol 985 cc631-2W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what specific advice his Department has received from the Advisory Committee on Alcoholism in the last three years on relaxation of the licensing laws both in regard to permitted hours and young people.

Sir George Young

The following recommendations were included in the 1977 report on prevention by the advisory committee on alcoholism Licensing hours should not be extended until sufficient evidence exists that to do so would not aggravate the problem; there should be no relaxation of the present age limits for purchasing or consuming alcohol until there is sufficient evidence to suggest that to do so will not lead to increased harm; and the responsible authorities should take steps to ensure that the existing age limits are enforced as rigorously as possible at both on-licence and off-licence premises ".

The licensing law is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and I refer my hon. Friend to his reply to his related question of today.

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