HC Deb 28 May 2004 vol 422 c47W
Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether new licence fee revenues under the Licensing Act 2003 are intended to cover the cost of local authority implementation and enforcement. [177386]

Mr. Caborn

Fees under the Licensing Act 2003 will be set centrally at a level that allows the full recovery of the costs of administration, inspection and enforcement associated with the new system. We have agreed to an independent review of the fees and costs once the new system is in operation, and these will be kept under regular review.

Mr. Simmonds

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will advise local authorities of the commencement of the transitional period for implementing the Licensing Act 2003. [177387]

Mr. Caborn

The timetable for full implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 is dependent on Parliamentary approval of the draft Guidance to licensing authorities, which was laid before Parliament on 23 March 2004. Following parliamentary approval the Secretary of State can issue the Guidance to licensing authorities and name the first appointed day which will mark the start of the nine-month transitional period. The first appointed day will be at least six months after the Guidance is issued by the Secretary of State.

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