§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to see the changes in law and practice which reflect the recent experiment in Coventry in regard to drink-related anti-social practice brought into effect; and what action he plans to take in regard to this matter.
§ Mr. John PattenThe results of the byelaw which prohibits the consumption of alcohol in designated areas446W have been carefully monitored by the Home Office and the local authorities concerned. The effectiveness of the byelaw has been demonstrated sufficiently for it to be made generally available subject to applicant authorities satisfying themselves as to local need and police capacity to enforce it. We will be writing to local authority chief executives next month inviting them to consider applying for the byelaw.