From Hamish Birchall

Many Musicians' Unionmembers had understandable reservations
about theincidental and unamplifiedlive music licensing exemptions
won in the Lords on 24 February. While encouraging, the amendments
would not have exempted featured entertainments in pubs or anywhere
else.

These concerns will be now be addressed during the 3rd Reading
debate on Tuesday 11 March.OppositionPeers will propose a
furtheramendment that would exempt small events or premises
altogether from the requirement to be licensedas public entertainment.
The conditions are that the entertainment ceases no later
than11.30pm, andan audience of no more than 250 people are
present at any one time. See text below, or go to:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/

This amendmentwould allow not only featured live music, but also
plays, the playing of recorded music,and dancing. Premises selling
alcohol would of course already hold a premises licence; but the
amendmentwould also permit premises that do not usually sell alcohol,
such aslibraries, hospitals, prisons, village halls and other workplaces, to hold regular events without the need to obtaina premises licence.

The main reason Peers have decided to back such a radical amendment is due to a briefing by a lawyer,organised and jointly funded by the MU and the Arts Council of England.The lawyer in question has expertise in licensing, safety and noise nuisance legislation.

Opposition Peers at least now accept that this legislation is sufficient to address public safety and noise nuisance issues that may arise in connection with small-scale entertainment.

THE BARONESS BUSCOMBE
THE LORD LUKE
THE LORD REDESDALE
THE VISCOUNT FALKLAND
Page 112, line 25, at end insert—
"Small premises

(1)The provision of entertainment is not to be regarded as the provision
of regulated entertainment for the purposes of this Act, where—

    (a)the number of persons attending the entertainment at any one
time does not exceed 250, and

    (b)the entertainment terminates no later than 11.30 pm on the same day.

(2)The provision of entertainment facilities solely for the purposes of the entertainment in sub-paragraph (1) above is not to be regarded as the provision of regulated entertainment for the purposes of this Act."