§ 31. Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what ways the regulation of doormen in pubs and clubs will be improved by the Private Security Industry Bill. [147120]
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§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Private Security Industry Bill provides for the establishment of a security industry authority, which will have responsibility for licensing individuals employed in designated sectors of the security industry, including door supervisors.
The authority will be responsible for establishing, for the first time, a consistent licensing regime for all door supervisors. This will involve setting nationally applicable criteria, in consultation with the police, industry and local authorities. These will be used in deciding whether to issue a personal licence allowing the applicant to undertake door supervision activities. Initially, the criteria will involve a criminal record check, but over time additional criteria relating to training will be imposed. This aim is to ensure that only fit and proper people receive licences. The main benefits of the new regime will be:
Anyone intending to operate as a door supervisor will require a licence. This will replace the existing arrangements whereby registration of door staff is left to the discretion of local authorities. All London boroughs operate licensing schemes, but only around 60 per cent, of local authorities outside London have such schemes.One national standard will be applied which will ensure a more consistent approach towards issuing licences. Current standards and criteria used for issuing licences vary between local authorities.The new licence issued will be valid nationally. The validity of existing licences is limited to particular areas.