Generally speakig I'd agree with nutty. But while the Guardian seems to keep its archive permanently, and appears committed to it staying free access. I'd be less sure about the Telegraph, which I suppose is what Shambles was thinking of.

Anyway, here is what I have just posted to the Guardian's liveonline ready for Kim Howells on Monday. No doubt they'll leave out the questions about live music so that can concentrate on his prejudices about Modern Art and Rap Music and such, but you can but try:

I'm worried that the new Licensing Act will make it a crime for me to sit down in a pub or cafe with my friends and play a bit of music or sing a few songs. I know Dr Howells keeps on saying it isn't intended to have that kind of effect, but I've looked at the Bill, and unless it's amended it is likely to have all kinds of nasty, and no doubt unintended implications. People running cafés or pubs will be scared to say "yes" when we ask if we can play a bit of music off in a corner.

So instead of accusing people who are concerned about this of "scaremongering" and "telling lies" why doesn't he take some advice from people such as the English Folk Dance and Song Society and the Musicians Union, and get the act amended so that there is no risk of it having these nasty effects he says are not intended?

After all, he's accepted that the Bill as presented is going to have to be amended to avoid interfering with Church activities, so why is he so sure that the rest of the Bill hasn't got it wrong as well?

Glib verbal promises about there being no need to worry aren't good enough. I want my rights confirmed by the new law, not threatened.