Alcohol licensing will remain with DCMS

Control of licensing is to remain with the culture department rather than go to the Home Office, the Government has confirmed.

Licensing has been listed in the brief of tourism and heritage minister John Penrose.

It is seen as a last minute U-turn by the new Government. Earlier this week a well-placed Conservative Party source told the Morning Advertiser that the Home Office would take over the licensing brief from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.

However, the exact nature of Penrose's brief remains unclear.

A DCMS spokesman said some licensing issues are set to be taken on by the Home Office; for example, the licensing of lap dancing clubs.

And it was Home Secretary Theresa May who yesterday announced a "complete review" of the Licensing Act.

Penrose, MP for Weston-Super-Mare, is also the minister for gambling.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has announced Anne Milton as the minister responsible for public health, which includes alcohol.

She is the Conservative MP for Guildford.