The one encouraging thing about that bumf from the Department of Silly Walks is that it completely fails to address the possibility of people wishing to play for their own enjoyment, either in pubs or in other public places.

That means that it would not involve any formal climbdown on the part of the Department if it were to accept an amendment to the exemption part of the bill, saying for example : "The provision of any entertainment or entertainment facilities or participation in such activities where the primary purpose is for the mutual enjoyment of performers is not to be regarded as the provision of regulated entertainment for the purposes of this Act".

All that it would mean would be that the promises made by Kim Howells on that Mike Harding show would be incorporated into the Act. Which of course is what he intended all along...

I think that is what we should be asking our MPs to ensure happens.