There is almost the suggestion in Mr Foster's statement - that it is thought by some that lying about such small matters as the state of live music is now acceptable............Or a least that some form of apology is needed for taking our Government to task when they lie to us on such 'relatively' unimportant matters.

There is a thinking which seems to think that because we were lied to about Iraq and our Government appear to have gotten away with such huge falsehoods (or at least were re-elected) that we should perhaps also give-up on trying to correct smaller attempts by our Government to lie to us.

My view is that by taking issue and correcting when we can - the small shit we are provided with - that we may make the practice less acceptable and routine and prevent the big shit from descending upon us. And by enough of us sticking to this process we may even be able to create the machinery by which those who were responsible for these huge falsehoods can pay the price........?

This matter shoud be perhaps seen in the light of the Government's attempts in the run-up to the Licensing Act 2003 to discredit the many real and factual concerns of musicians like Hamish Birchall as lies and misinformation. He should be respected as one who is determined to ensure that the truth about the state of live music is first established. This is vital if the following undertaking - given by the Government in response to the E Petition - is to have any chance of improving the real situation.

We have also given an undertaking that we will review the existing descriptions of entertainment in the Act six to twelve months after the end of the transition period. If the Act has had an unintended, disproportionate negative effect on the provision of live music -or other forms of regulated entertainment-, there are powers already in the Bill to modify the position through secondary legislation. However we believe that the provisions in the Licensing Act will allow live music and other regulated entertainment to thrive.