§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to transfer responsibility for the granting of drinks licences in Northern Ireland from magistrates to local government authorities. [79768]
§ Mr. BrowneNorthern Ireland has its own law on liquor licensing as contained in the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. There are no plans to transfer responsibility for the granting of drinks licences from magistrates to local authorities in Northern Ireland.