MPs hear of pubs' Big Society role

MPs have been told of the key role pubs will play in the coalition government's Big Society plans.

Speaking at the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group's Christmas Party at the Houses of Parliament last week vice president Andrew Griffiths MP told peers of the valuable community role pubs play.

He said: "There is a great deal of talk about the Big Society. I am sure we will all see the Big Society in action in pubs.

"There are so many that already support community groups and are absolutely the safe environment for people to enjoy alcohol."

Griffiths added that MPs "had a responsibility" to guarantee the future of pubs in their constituencies.

MPs at the event included former licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe, former pubs minister John Healey and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group Greg Mulholland. Lord Rupert Redesdale, chairman of Best Bar None, also joined senior industry executives and trade representatives.

Ralph Findlay, chairman of the British Beer & Pub Association and Marston's chief executive, said that the industry had made "much progress" in its dealings with MPs over the past 12 months.

He pointed to beer duty not being hiked in June and increasing political awareness of cheap off-trade alcohol.

"There has been much talk of the responsibility that the off trade, i.e. supermarkets have and the responsibility the on trade has. I think there is a lot further to go.

"I am not looking for any kind of special favours but we are looking for fair treatment and pubs sell alcohol in a supervised controlled environment and that must be good for society," he said.