Too soon to stop calling time

5.10.41pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 25th Jan 2005

Bath's MP, Don Foster, today called on the Government to delay the implementation of the legislation bringing forward more flexible and longer licensing hours in pubs and clubs.

In a speech on the floor of the House of Commons Don Foster said:

"Local authorities should be able to introduce more flexible hours if local people want them.

"But the powers the Government has given councils to say no to longer opening hours are dodgy.

"Bath and North East Somerset Council are deeply concerned that the right to refuse pubs in a 'saturated' area is legally dubious and the experts agree.

"With senior police officers in Bath and the rest of the country arguing that the number of violent, drunken revellers is spiralling out of control, we must delay this act until binge drinking is brought under control."