LICENSING HOURS

Early day motion 1099, tabled 31 October 2000 by Lembit Öpik (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 18 members.

That this House regrets the failure of the Government to take measures to extend licensing hours for pubs and clubs in England and Wales for celebrations of this year's New Year's Eve, which falls on a Sunday night; notes that most licensed premises must therefore close at 10.30p.m., unless licensees make applications to local magistrates for an extension; further notes that mass applications to magistrates would result in a needlessly increased workload for magistrates, with no guarantee of uniformity in the granting of applications, plus further delay for licensees who have not planned festivities because they have been expecting Government guidelines on opening times for that night; and calls upon the Government to extend the licensing hours on New Year's Eve according to the limits set in the Government's deregulation order brought in for last year's millennium celebrations.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 9, Labour 7, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.