§ Lord Bradshawasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in their appraisal of the new licensing laws, they have given further consideration to a compulsory levy on the entertainment industry to pay towards the costs of policing, hospitalisation and clearing up in the early hours of the morning. [HL4112]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThis matter was fully considered in the context of the production of the alcohol harm reduction strategy by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit in March 2004, after the Licensing Act 2003 had been given Royal Assent on 10 July 2003. As the strategy makes clear, we do not think that the case has yet been made for imposing a compulsory levy on industry for the costs of policing 193WA and any other costs resulting from the development of the night-time economy. We believe that the right way forward is through voluntary schemes where they are necessary and can be justified.