§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will implement the new powers for confiscating unopened alcohol containers from minors. [107193]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthWe have included a proposal in the Licensing Bill, currently before Parliament, to enable the police to confiscate sealed alcohol containers, in addition to opened containers, from young people who are drinking in a public place, or where a police officer reasonably believes that the young person intends to drink alcohol in that public place. If Parliament approves these strengthened police powers we intend to bring them into force as soon as possible following Royal Assent, which we expect during the summer.