§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received since 3 May 1979 regarding the operaton of, and possible amendment to, the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976; what studies he is aware of on the operation and effect of the Act; and whether he has any proposals for amending legislation in the light of the information and observations available to him regarding the operation and effects of the Act.
§ Mr. AncramRepresentations suggesting various amendments to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976, received mainly from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, will be taken into consideration in any future review of licensing legislation. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys carried out a survey into the effects of the extension of permitted hours in the evenings, and the opening of public houses on Sundays, in the period 1976 to 1978. While we have no present plans for revison of the 1976 Act, we are considering whether to undertake a further survey to assess the working of the Act and public attitudes to it.