HC Deb 02 May 2000 vol 349 cc78-9W
Miss Kirkbride

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide additional funding to local authorities in relation to licensing functions which at present are the responsibility of magistrates; and if he will make a statement. [120651]

Mr. Straw

The White Paper on the reform of the licensing laws, published on 10 April, makes clear that any new licensing regime should be resourced on the basis of full cost recovery from the fees and charges levied. We intend consulting closely with representatives of the local authorities about the resourcing of the system.

Mr. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to transfer the responsibility of liquor licensing from magistrates' licensing committees to local authorities. [120220]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The arguments for this change are set out in Chapter 11 of our White Paper, "Time For Reform", which was laid before Parliament on 10 April. We shall welcome and take into account comments on the White Paper in working up legislative proposals.