Hall's Support For 24 Hour Drinking Slammed

11.06.31am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Nov 2005

Speaking following the news that Bedford and Kempston Labour MP Patrick Hall had supported the governments plans which will allow pubs and clubs to stay open for 24 hours, Lib Dem Group Leader, Michael Headley said:

"I was disappointed to see that Bedford's Labour MP joined his colleagues last week in voting in support of 24 hour licensing. There is clearly a problem with alcohol related incidents and it is getting worse. Passing the blame to local councils, when all they can do is carry out the government's agenda is not acceptable. Figures show that there has been a 15% national rise in "violent offences committed in connection with licensed premises" in the last year to almost 1,000 a week. And in England and Wales there was an increase by 18.4% in alcohol-related deaths in 2004. In this context it is clearly wrong to introduce this Act giving 24 hour opening and it is a shame that Labour MPs can't see this."

ENDS