§ Tony CunninghamTo ask the, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects responsibility for licensing to be transferred to local authorities. [176338]
§ Mr. CabornLicensing authorities, who will generally be local authorities, will be able to accept applications for the conversion of existing licences and club registration certificates from the first appointed day. This will be at least six months after my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State issues the Guidance to licensing authorities. The timetable for full implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 is dependent on parliamentary approval of the draft guidance, which1734W was laid before Parliament on 23 March. If Parliament is content, we expect to complete the implementation of the Act around late summer 2005.