§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department knew that drinks and entertainment organisations were clients of MCM Research Ltd. when it was commissioned by her Department to advise on proposed changes in the arrangements for alcohol and entertainment licensing. [89540]
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§ Alun MichaelThe research MCM is carrying out on behalf of Defra is to assist with the provision of best practice guidance for addressing potential noise from pubs and clubs. It is not to comment on proposed changes in the arrangements for alcohol and entertainment licensing. The intention is to support local authorities and the licensing trade both when working under the current licensing rules and in implementing changes under the arrangements currently proposed within the Licensing Bill.
All applicants to the competitive tender for this research project were asked to give details of their relevant experience in this area. A number of drinks and entertainment organisations have been clients of MCM Research Ltd. as a result of its specialisation in the application of social science to alcohol-related problems. MCM Research Ltd. was appointed partly as a result of their knowledge and experience of the licensed trade.
This research will be made publicly available and is expected to be published in spring 2003.