§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received seeking a requirement for licensed premises to display their hours of opening; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggSince 4 August, when our proposals for the reform of the Licensing Act 1964 were published, 83 representations supporting a statutory requirement for licensed premises to display their opening hours have been received. After careful consideration, it has been decided that it would not be appropriate to adopt this proposal. The Licensing Act specifies that premises are not required to open during the permitted hours and the compulsory display of hours of opening would risk restricting a licensee's flexibility to respond to demand. Licensed premises which are subject to a restriction order, requiring them to close during the afternoon, will however be required to display a notice stating the effect of that order.
§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received seeking to extend pub opening hours on Sundays and bank holidays in established tourist resorts ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggSince the Government's proposals for reform of the licensing law were published, 30 representations have been received from hon. Members, organisations and members of the public seeking to extend permitted hours on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas day, and mentioning the benefits for tourism. We have no plans to change the licensing hours on these days. On other bank Holidays the general licensing hours for weekdays apply.