Draft Licensing Act
2003 (Coronation Licensing Hours) Order 2023
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home
Department ( )
I beg to move,
That the Committee has considered the draft Licensing Act 2003
(Coronation Licensing Hours) Order 2023.
It is an honour to appear before you, Mr Stringer, even if a
little untimely, and a pleasure to serve under your
chairmanship.
The draft order will have the effect of extending licensing hours
to mark the coronation of His Majesty the King. It is a great
privilege to stand in Committee today in my capacity as a Home
Office Minister to discuss a piece of legislation that is
designed to facilitate a period of joy and celebration for our
country. The coronation is an occasion of profound significance.
A great many people will, I am sure, want to gather together and
to raise a glass to His Majesty the King.
Under section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Secretary of
State can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark
occasions of exceptional national significance. I am sure that
Members across the Committee will agree that the coronation is
just such an occasion.
The Home Office conducted a public consultation to seek the views
of the public. The majority of responses were in favour of the
licensing extension. The responses also agreed with the proposed
duration and location, and that the extension should apply only
to sales of alcohol for consumption on the premises. The draft
order is therefore to extend licensing hours in England and Wales
on Friday 5 May, Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May until 1 am the
following morning.
(Aldridge-Brownhills)
(Con)
I have no desire to slow down proceedings and, as I am sure the
Committees appreciates, I wholeheartedly support this piece of
delegated legislation—in fact, like most Members present, I am
sure I will be out celebrating as well—but I have a specific
question to ask the Minister. Where a licence has been revoked or
suspended, will that suspension remain in place?
Miss Dines
That is a technical point to which I shall revert a little
later.
The extension will apply to premises, licences and club premises
certificates in England and Wales that license the sale of
alcohol for consumption on the premises only, as mentioned. Such
premises will be allowed to remain open without having to notify
the licensing authority via a temporary event notice. The draft
order covers only sales for consumption on the premises after 11
pm; it does not cover premises that sell alcohol for consumption
off the premises, such as off-licences and supermarkets.
Premises that are licensed to provide regulated entertainment
will be able to do so until 1 am on the nights covered by the
draft order, even where those premises are not licensed to sell
alcohol. That includes, for example, venues holding music events
or dances, as well as theatres and cinemas.
Premises that supply late-night refreshment—the supply of hot
food or drinks to the public between the hours of 11 pm and 5
am—but which do not sell alcohol for consumption on the premises,
will not be covered by the draft order. Such premises will only
be able to provide late-night refreshment until 1 am if their
existing licence already permits it.
To revert to the matter raised by my right hon. Friend the Member
for Aldridge-Brownhills, yes, revocations will remain in place
and are unaffected by the draft order. I hope that that gives her
some comfort for her constituent.
His Majesty the King’s coronation promises to be a joyous and
uplifting occasion. A mood of celebration will descend across the
country, and it is in that spirit that we seek this extension of
licensing hours. I therefore commend the draft order to the
Committee.
6.04pm
(Croydon Central) (Lab)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr
Stringer.
Members will be happy to hear that I do not intend to speak for
long on this matter, and I am happy to agree with the Minister
about everything she has said. The draft order amends the
Licensing Act to allow licensed premises and clubs to sell
alcohol for more than two hours, if they so desire, on three
evenings around the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023.
I will not be alone in looking forward to the coronation of His
Majesty, and I will welcome the opportunity to spend a little
more time in the pub to raise a glass to the King.
I am reassured that the extension applies only to sales and
supply for on-site consumption, as I believe that this will
mitigate any hijinks that might cause some unwanted antisocial
behaviour or loud drunkenness. I am also reassured that police
forces are supportive of the extension for the coronation, as it
is they who will have to deal with any alcohol-related crime and
disorder, but I hope that the Minister will be alive to anxieties
that local authorities and forces may have around the
celebrations.
The economic note notes that the main benefit of the draft order
is meeting the public expectation to celebrate the King’s
coronation, which is “an unquantifiable social benefit”. I know
that many of my constituents will agree, and I also know that
many of the fantastic licensed premises in my constituency and
others will be glad not to have to secure a temporary event
notice. I am happy to support the proposals and wish all Members
a very enjoyable coronation weekend.
6.05pm
Miss Dines
I thank the hon. Lady for her contribution. The Policing Minister
is present, and I am sure he can confirm to us that it is the
case that all local police forces are working very hard to make
sure that the festivities are carried out in an orderly yet
joyous way.
As I set out in opening the debate, the King’s coronation
promises to be a joyous occasion in which tradition and
celebration will be brought together. Therefore, it is only right
that we give the people a chance to mark this historic occasion
to greet our new King. As I am sure colleagues will agree, the
coronation weekend in May will be a great opportunity for
families, friends and communities to raise a glass to His
Majesty. We must be hopeful that the coronation will also provide
a timely boost for the hospitality industry. God save the
King!
Question put and agreed to.
