Member

We all recognise that the power set out in regulations in this part are sweeping. Regulations will determine when the new licensing scheme enters into force. Regulations will permit licensing authorities to refuse licences in particular areas or limit the number of licences altogether. Regulations will permit licensing authorities to charge an application fee, the value of which remains unknown. Regulations will also determine the duration of licences, and regulations will partly determine the conditions imposed on licence holders. That is a whole slew of regulations. For many retailers, at this stage, the whole system is pretty much a mystery, so in tabling these amendments and suggesting a specific timetable, we are probing the Government on when they envisage all issues relating to licensing will be completed and on how long it will take for the new licensing regime to be clearly communicated to retailers to give them enough time to prepare.