In an epistle from DCMS dated MArch 2003 they say "in 1899 the courts held that impromptu performances by customers were not licensable, but performances given by a customer or any musician "for a consideration" were licensable. The report of the Royal Commission on Licensing (England and Wales) 1929-1931 (para 249) confirmed this interpretation of the law. Working musicians were not therefore exempted as claimed. The 2 in a bar rle was introduced by the licensing act 1964. The new bill abolishes this but introduces new arrangements whereby any pub may obtain permission to stage live musical events at no extra cost when obtaining permission to sell alchohol.

Translated into English I think this means that performances that are impromptu, by the performers, for themselves and without payment or free beer are not caught by the PEL provisions. I have many copies of this 6 page document issued by DCMS and will hand them out.

I think the point about telling councillors is a good one. I was at a meeting of another bigger council last night and their licensing and safety officers described the new bill as a "real dogs breakfast" as originally ste up but now a regurgitated mess!