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Legislative Reform (Supervision of Alcohol Sales in Church and Village Halls &c.) Order 2009

I am grateful for the opportunity to talk on this order. The Minister suggested that it was for England, but of course it is for England and Wales—it covers both our countries. Some questions need to be resolved. Is it not better to have a recognised licensee in charge of the sale of alcohol on any premises in the community? I often speak to some of our local licensees in north Wales, who say that the problem is that the supermarkets and so on sell alcohol unregulated, but the pub owner or licensee is able to keep order on his premises. Of course, he stands to be penalised if he fails to do that. We have to look not only at ease, but at making sure that the premises are well regulated by somebody who knows what he or she is doing. I move on to the managing boards that would take over the responsibility. Having been involved with many managing boards and local hall committees over the years, I know that they change their composition. Sometimes you get an active, responsible committee or board and you would trust them with most forms of activity. But then you have an annual meeting, there might be conflict and the board might change. You might even have conflicts then, because some members might be teetotallers and others might enjoy alcoholic refreshment. That change and instability would not be there if one person were responsible for the licensed hall. The Minister should think of such things. Especially in the booze culture we face today, they should be seriously considered.