Downing Street Says » 24 Hour Licensing

» Wednesday, January 19, 2005

24 Hour Licensing

Asked if there was definitely going to be a levy imposed with regards to 24 hour licensing, as Charles Clarke had said this morning, the PMOS said discussions were continuing with ACPO, the industry, the DCMS and the Home Office. A decision had not yet been reached, but it was coming to a close.

Asked what had been resolved so far, the PMOS said it was better to leave it to reach a conclusion before commenting.

Asked again if levies might be compulsory, or were journalists misreading what Charles Clarke had said, the PMOS repeated that it was better for the discussions to reach a conclusion. What was important was that everyone ended up in the one place, which is what will happen.

Asked if it was true that in principle, the industry in some way would pay for additional policing, the PMOS said that what was important, as Charles Clarke had said this morning, was normal drinkers and normal premises should not be penalised for the actions of a few. People would have to wait, however for the details, and how it would work in practice.

Asked again if it was the Government’s view that extra policing costs should be paid for by the industry, the PMOS said it was better to wait for the conclusion of the discussions.

Asked when the conclusion might be, the PMOS said it would not be weeks.

Put to him that the Local Association Authority fees announcement was also coming out on Friday, and were they trying to do everything as a "package", the PMOS said we recognised there needed to be clarity in the issue, hence the need for urgent meetings.

1 Comment »

The Government has no right to restrict drinking. We live in a free society, apparently, and as such we should be able to drink restricted beverages on our own recognisance. There lies a second layer of societal protection, that appears to be the hotbed of opposition, that is the responsibility of the licensee to regulate his/her own customers behaviour. The police should only get involved if the people responsible for events that transpire in an otherwise acceptable situation becomes untenable. Give the free people of the world the right to drink, as is stated in law.
Comment by Ugglan — 18 Feb 2005 on 1:16 pm | Link

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