FRIDAY 10 AUGUST 2001

The Lord Colwyn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has responsibility for public entertainment licensing; and how they ensure that any advice they give is consistent. [HL669]

BARONESS BLACKSTONE

Responsibility for public entertainment licensing policy was transferred from the Home Office to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 8 June this year. The administration and enforcement of public entertainment licensing law remain the statutory responsibility of the local authorities.
The Department offers advice where it can be helpful to enquirers; but the interpretation of public entertainment licensing law is ultimately a matter for the courts.
Whenever it has been considered necessary to issue guidance to local authorities for the promotion of consistency in good practice, the Home Office approach has been to issue circulars to local authorities, thus ensuring that the same guidance reaches all. Where possible circulars have been issued jointly with the Local Government Association. We expect to adopt a similar practice.