§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the representations he has received from Liverpool city council concerning the transfer of certain licensing functions of local authorities;
(2) what is the estimate of loss of income to Liverpool city council following the transfer of certain licensing functions to local authorities.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans at present to give district councils power to charge fees for issuing certificates of suitability under section 79 of the Licensing Act 1964, but he is keeping the matter under review. The representations submitted by Liverpool city council on 13 March about this are being considered. We do not have the information on which to base an estimate of the income such fees might produce.