Licensing - date set for Bill
Roger Gall
Lord Clement-Jones' live music bill is to get a full debate in the House of
Lords on Friday 15th January 2010, probably in the afternoon:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldordpap.htm#order [scroll down]
If enacted it would amend the Licensing Act to exempt a range of small gigs:
a.. in alcohol-licensed premises up to 200 capacity, up to midnight,
subject to review if there are problems.
b.. in hospitals, schools and colleges with up to 200
audience/participants and providing alcohol is not being sold.
c.. anywhere by one or two musicians, unamplified or minimally amplified.
The bill includes an amendment to permit amplified music accompanying morris
and similar dancing (the current exemption only applies when the dancing is
accompanied by unamplified live music).
The bill also proposes a definition of 'minimal amplification' which would
allow amplification to be used by one or two performers, provided it does
not predominate over unamplified instruments. The wording was derived in
part from the discussion of music volume already set out in the 'incidental
music' section of the government's Licensing Guidance, paragraph 3.22
(secondary legislation that accompanies the Act):
http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/RevisedGuidanceJune2007.pdf
Link to PDF file of Lord Clement-Jones' bill:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldbills/066/2009066.pdf
The debate will include a response from a government minister or
spokesperson, but would not conclude with a vote. Provided no hostile
amendments are tabled, it would go to a formal Committee stage about two
weeks later. If such amendments were tabled, another debate would be
required.
Assuming no delays, after a further two weeks the bill would get a formal
3rd reading, and could then go to the House of Commons.
By that time, however, the bill could be thwarted by an imminent general
election - the same obstacle facing the government with its yet to be
fulfilled promise of swift action on a small gigs exemption consultation.
Despite this, the live music bill, which is supported by UK Music,
represents an invaluable opportunity to keep the case for exemptions on the
Parliamentary and media agenda.
ENDS