§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate has been made of the additional cost to local authorities of implementing the Licensing Act 200.3; and how much this will add to the average council tax bill. [134850]
§ Mr. CabornThere will be no additional cost to local authorities resulting from the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. Fees will be set by the Secretary of State at a level that will allow the full recovery of all costs relating to their duties under the Act. There will therefore be no additional cost to council-tax payers as a result of the new regime.