§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it an offence for an adult to purchase alcohol for children aged under 18 years; and if he will make it a statement. [146575]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Licensing Act 1964 made it an offence for anyone to buy or attempt to buy alcohol for consumption in a bar in licensed premises by a minor. The Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000, which came into force on 23 January, created a new offence of buying or attempting to buy alcohol in licensed premises on behalf of a person under 18. There will continue to be an exemption from these offences in respect of any adult who buys beer, porter or cider for a person aged 16 or 17 years of age for consumption at a meal in a part of licensed premises which is not the bar and is usually set aside for the service of meals.