I Fax-ed my MP the other day, but he took 3 months to reply to the previous one so I doubt that he'll read it in time.

The borough which I live in - Greenwich, is rather notorious for trying to make as much as possible out of PEL applications. The session at "The Cricketers" was an example of that. They now have a license for two evenings a week at a cost of £400 - if they wanted more evenings, it would cost them pro rata. Seems strange to me, if the pub's safe for two evenings per week, why isn't it safe for seven. Even more puzzling is why just paying another thousand pounds would make it safe.

I'd be quite happy for the government to modify the small events clause enough for them to save face - ie reduce it to 150 and block up the possible loophole which would allow premises to shut and then re-open until 11.30 the next day. There could be a problem with early morning (ie May Day) events if this was worded badly though - but I couldn't imagine PEL inspectors getting up at dawn to prosecute anyone. I wouldn't object to a limit on PA power, but a complete ban on amplification would probably be too restricting.

Let's hope that the commons can at last see sense on this issue.