§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further consultations he has in mind to test public reaction to the introduction of flexible drinking times in public houses in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe have no such further consultations in mind at present. My right hon. Friend will be taking into account the public response to the recent report by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on drinking and attitudes to licensing in Scotland before deciding whether the licensing laws in England and Wales might be changed.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has intentions of completing his consideration of the flexible hours for licensed premises and his discussions with interested parties in time to present legislation in this Session of Parliament.
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§ Mr. MellorWe have no plans for legislation on liquor licensing hours in this session of Parliament. We shall be looking carefully at the available evidence on flexible licensing hours in Scotland before reaching a decision on whether legislation is desirable in principle.