§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to discuss with chief officers of police measures to deal with violent incidents involving groups of young people in or outside licensed premises in rural areas.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIn February 1989, an interdepartmental circular provided advice on how local organisations in England and Wales might work together to tackle the problems associated with alcohol misuse. Local organisations including the police are encouraged to identify local needs and decide how best these might be met. In addition, in seven selected areas in England, the Home Office is monitoring experimental byelaws which provide the police with additional powers to control drinking in public places. I understand that a similar experimental byelaw is in operation in one area in Scotland and it is planned to extend the scheme to two further areas. The results of these experiments will be discussed with chief officers of police. I have no further plans, at present, for discussions with chief officers on this subject.