Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to ensure the enforcement of the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997. [44038]
§ Mr. MichaelResponsibility for the enforcement of the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 is an operational matter for chief officers of police. Guidance on the Act, which came into force on 1 August last year, has been issued to all chief officers. The Act is intended to allow the police to deal with situations where drinking by young people causes a nuisance to others or may lead to other bad behaviour. The guidance makes it clear that it was not Parliament's intention that the new powers should be used where young peoples' drinking is not perceived to be a problem. A copy of the guidance (Home Office Circular 38/1997) is in the Library.