New motion tabled to postpone Licensing Act

A last-ditch attempt to stall the start date for the Licensing Act is to be launched in the House of Lords on November 14 - just 10 days before the new regime gets under way.

Conservative peer Viscount Astor has tabled a motion to delay the Licensing Act until June 30, 2006.

The last-minute motion comes as attempts to delay the start of the Licensing Act failed in the House of Commons last week.

Shadow culture secretary Conservative Theresa May had tabled a motion asking for the government to cancel the Act and overhaul the primary legislation.

Speaking in a Commons debate, Mrs May said: "I am not alone in thinking that extending licensing hours when we have an explosion of alcohol-related crime is sheer lunacy.

"People's quality of life will be badly affected when the legislation comes into force, but even at this late stage the government has an opportunity to think again."

However, the Conservative Party attempt to delay the new regime was defeated by 218 votes to 293 - a majority of 75.

A government amendment welcoming the reforms in the Act was approved by a majority of 73.

Lib Dem culture spokesman Don Foster supported the Tory move and said longer hours must be put "on ice".

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell promised that when the Act is implemented, the government would set out the proposals for review.

She also dismissed claims that the Act would cause more drink-related violence and said that the government had already "shown dedicated commitment to tackling alcohol-related violence".