Labour MPs clash on licensing reform debate

The government is refusing to budge on plans to move licensing to local authority control, despite signs of unrest among its own backbench MPs.

Labour MP for Birmingham Gisela Stuart has said she is not happy with the government's decision to give councils control of licensing and, as a result, she is pushing for a Commons debate on the issue.

She fears that the proposed change could see residents' lives made a misery with noisy and rowdy pubs allowed to stay open.

But a spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said the government's mind was already made up and there was no point in arguing over the details.

"While we welcome debate on any issue, as we have said before through thePublican.com, licensing will rest with local authorities," she said. "We are not going to change our minds."

But Stuart Neame of Kent brewer Shepherd Neame believes there is still hope. "If the government suddenly realises that there are 50,000 licensees who don't agree with local authorities having control of licensing then there is every hope that Tony Blair will change his mind," Mr Neame said. "After all he won't want to lose all those votes," he added.

"I am absolutely confident that this can still be changed and that Andrew Cunningham is listening to the trade."

The British Beer and Pub Association's Mark Hastings said it was important for the industry to focus on ensuring that local authorities were not given the powers to do as they pleased, rather than fighting for licensing control to stay with magistrates.

But more than two thirds of licensees are not happy with the current licensing reform bill, according to The Publican's Market Report 2002.

Sixty-eight per cent of licensees who responded to the annual survey said they would not support the draft regulations as they stand.

In particular, they oppose plans for local authority control of licensing which they fear will lead to politically-biased decisions and undue emphasis on residents' opinions.

The Publican Newspaper and thePublican.com have been asking licensees for their views on licensing reform and will be presenting the results in a special report to due next week.

The results will also be sent to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell so that licensees' views can be considered when Parliament reconvenes next month.