Westminster Diary - 29th June 2005

Wednesday, 29th June 2005

Last week was a busy one for me in Westminster.  On Monday, I spoke about the need to address crime and disorder with more visible policing, not just with new court orders and schemes.  On Tuesday, I spoke about the value of jury trials.  Then, on Wednesday I was lucky enough to do well in the lottery that decides which Members of Parliament ask the Prime Minister a question during Prime Minister’s Question Time.  There were many subjects about which I could have asked, but I chose to ask Mr Blair about the effect on village halls and community centres of the new Licensing Act.  Anyone who has tried to arrange an event at such a facility recently will know what I mean.  The Licensing Act of 2003 increases dramatically the cost of licenses to run anything from children’s parties to village pantomimes.  It also creates more paperwork for organisers to complete.

I feel strongly that those who keep our communities strong by making good use of our village halls and community centres deserve our thanks, not to have that would make life more difficult and more expensive.  In rural areas in particular the village hall is often the heart of the community.  Making the hall too costly to use will have a serious impact on village life and that is the effect of the Government’s new law.

The Prime Minister told me he would look at this issue again.  I hope he does so and changes his mind – for the good of every community.

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Updated on Wednesday, 29th June 2005