Yes, sad isn't it. But he is a professional waffler, and knoes that as long as he keeps talking, no one can challenge him. the fault is with the interviwers. Howells waffled on with a question about why a licensee would not apply and no one, especially a licensee, was given the chance to answer.

Why was he not asked what a licensee currently pays for their liquor licence? Foe there is a world of differnce between the current £30 and the £15O / £500 for the life of the business, not the life of the premises, and an annual 'inspection' charge. All of which can and I suspect will be increased at any time additional revenue is required.

It will be required for how are the current licensing staff going to deal with a 95% increase in entertainment licence apllications, in addition to taking on the court's current job and the additional personal licences?