MSPs fall out in row over off-licence hours

24 Nov 05
The Scottish Executive coalition has been thrown into turmoil over unintended restrictions on off-licence sales as a result of a chaotic vote in the Holyrood Parliament.

25 November 2005

The Scottish Executive coalition has been thrown into turmoil over unintended restrictions on off-licence sales as a result of a chaotic vote in the Holyrood Parliament.

Ministers were this week fixing urgent talks with the licensed trade association to find a compromise.

The move follows a debate on the Licensing (Scotland) Bill which was marred by confusion and disagreement.

The Executive had previously agreed that all decisions on the opening hours be handed over to local licensing boards. But, in an eleventh-hour change, Labour ministers were persuaded to drop this by Labour MSPs who threatened to rebel.

Ministers then tried to push through an amendment, which would have paved the way for off-licences to be open from 3am until 10pm. But they were forced to accept an amendment allowing off-sales only between 10am and 10pm – a reduction of two hours on the current rule.

Liberal Democrat MSPs continued to demand that all decisions be left to local licensing boards.

The fiasco has threatened the unity of the Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition, with LibDems claiming it was a breach of an executive agreement and warning Labour that it could no longer take their support for granted.

This week, Deputy Finance Minister George Lyon revealed that ministers had powers to alter the new regulations, but not until after the next Holyrood election in 2007. 'There is provision that gives ministers the power to vary the off-sales time,' he said.

But he added: 'The new legislation doesn't come in until 2009 so it will be for the next administration to decide whether it wishes to exercise that power.'

When the Bill becomes law, pubs will be allowed more flexible opening hours, as in England and Wales, including 24-hour opening in exceptional circumstances.

The Scottish Executive coalition has been thrown into turmoil over unintended restrictions on off-licence sales as a result of a chaotic vote in the Holyrood Parliament.

Ministers were this week fixing urgent talks with the licensed trade association to find a compromise.

The move follows a debate on the Licensing (Scotland) Bill which was marred by confusion and disagreement.

The Executive had previously agreed that all decisions on the opening hours be handed over to local licensing boards. But, in an eleventh-hour change, Labour ministers were persuaded to drop this by Labour MSPs who threatened to rebel.

Ministers then tried to push through an amendment, which would have paved the way for off-licences to be open from 3am until 10pm. But they were forced to accept an amendment allowing off-sales only between 10am and 10pm – a reduction of two hours on the current rule.

Liberal Democrat MSPs continued to demand that all decisions be left to local licensing boards.

The fiasco has threatened the unity of the Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition, with LibDems claiming it was a breach of an executive agreement and warning Labour that it could no longer take their support for granted.

This week, Deputy Finance Minister George Lyon revealed that ministers had powers to alter the new regulations, but not until after the next Holyrood election in 2007. 'There is provision that gives ministers the power to vary the off-sales time,' he said.

But he added: 'The new legislation doesn't come in until 2009 so it will be for the next administration to decide whether it wishes to exercise that power.'

When the Bill becomes law, pubs will be allowed more flexible opening hours, as in England and Wales, including 24-hour opening in exceptional circumstances.

Licensing boards will be given more powers and restrictions will be imposed on promotions that target young drinkers. Licensing boards will be given more powers and restrictions will be imposed on promotions that target young drinkers.

PFnov2005

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