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Proceeding contribution from Chris Huhne (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Monday, 19 January 2009. It occurred during Debate on bill on Policing and Crime Bill.


Policing and Crime Bill

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for that intervention. As I said, I do not deny that that is part of the solution, but I merely point out that we must not stress that it is overwhelmingly the answer. I would stress, for example, that we need to do much more in using the existing powers. A recent survey found that 40 per cent. of retail outlets were selling to under-age drinkers and that only 854 prosecutions were brought last year. Frankly, that is a drop in the ocean, by comparison with the many thousands of retail outlets across the country. At some stage, it will surely be revealed to the Home Office and its Ministers that enforcement matters more than new clauses from the parliamentary draftsman—a point with which I hope the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Rob Marris) agrees, because he made it at the beginning of the debate. Paper powers matter less than police action.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
486 c542 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Children Codes of practice Accountability Crime prevention Crime Alcoholic drinks Crimes of violence Cannabis Assets Anti-social behaviour Licensing Drugs Human trafficking Police Powers Public appointments Public places Misuse Police authorities Prices Prostitution Sales Young people Sexual offences Supermarkets Sex establishments Detection rates
Legislation
Policing and Crime Bill 2008-09
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk