NATIONAL PUBS WEEK

Early day motion 651, tabled 23 February 2004 by Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 36 members.

That this House gives its support for National Pubs Week which is being held between 21st and 28th February; recognises the important contribution that independent pubs make to the social and economic life of local communities; acknowledges that around 20 local pubs close each month due to the consolidation of pub ownership and the prevalence of town centre theme bars; welcomes the launch of the Campaign for Real Ale's Saving Your Pub booklet which gives local communities advice on fighting pub closures in their areas; and calls upon the Government to safeguard local pubs and micro-breweries by extending progressive beer duty to the maximum level of 200,000hl as permitted under EU law, introducing legislation so that endangered urban community pubs can benefit from up to 100 per cent. rate relief in the same way that sole village pubs are able to and by pressing large pub chains to purchase a guest beer from their local brewery.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 2.