A session protest outside Parliament? Great idea... but think carefully about the timing. Bear in mind that if the Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Bill is announced in the Queen's Speech on 13 November, it is likely to be a few weeks before it is actually published. Until it is published, along with the accompanying 'guidance' promised by the DCMS, we cannot be absolutely certain of its contents. New drafts are emerging as I write, and it is possible (though unlikely, I agree) that the government may change its absurd position that satellite tv in pubs should be unregulated by entertainment licensing, but the provision of virtually all live music should be a criminal offence unless first licensed.

Richard: I assume you are referring to the MU campaign when you write that the 'current campaign lacks credibility' because it maintains 'there is no need to regulate electric music'.

A few thoughts: 1) Most people complaining about noise from pubs are not complaining about music at all, but noisy people outside the premises (over 80% of complaints); 2)where there are complaints about loud music, the majority are about loud recorded music; 3)the Institute of Alcohol Studies which canvasses the views of residents' associations across the country about licensing reform tell me none of these associations has ever raised live music as an issue; 4) the National Society for Clean Air says that 'in general local authorities are content with the flexibility the nuisance provisions allow. However, for adequate enforcement there is a need for clarification (for officers and the public) and better resourcing'; 5)it is, of course, the Government that is proposing that the provision of broadcast entertainment or music, or recorded music, in pubs should be exempt from entertainment licensing controls; 6) it can only do this (surely?) because it believes subsisting legislation is adequate to deal with overcrowding, noise, or crime and disorder that may result from these entertainments.

Hamish