HL Deb 23 March 2004 vol 659 cc35-6WS
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Tessa Jowell) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am today laying before Parliament a draft of the guidance to be issued by me under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003. I am also placing copies in the Libraries of both Houses, the Vote Office, and the Printed Paper Office. Copies will be made available to the public on the DCMS website at: www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol and entertainment/licensing_act_2003.

The guidance makes clear our determination to enable licensing authorities and the police to bring the minority of badly run premises into line with the best. The police and other responsible authorities should make full use of existing and new powers under the Act proactively tackling alcohol-related crime and disorder and badly run premises.

In carrying out their functions under the Act, licensing authorities have a clear responsibility to promote the prevention of crime and disorder, and the prevention of public nuisance, as well as to promote public safety and protect children from harm.