§ 18. Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a decision on the further extension of public house and club hours. [24629]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe previous Government carried out a consultation exercise in 1996 on the subject and it identified important concerns about the relaxation512W of licensing hours. Those concerns, and the issues they raise, require careful consideration. This is one of a number of licensing issues which we are looking at. I cannot at this stage say what the outcome will be or when a decision will be reached.