| Mr Lyon, the deputy minister for finance and parliamentary business, was outlining the current thinking to delegates at the National Licensing Conference 2005, at the Apex Hotel, organised by the national charity, Alcohol Focus Scotland.
The theme is “From Legislation to Implementation” as the Executive pushes through the Licensing (Scotland) Bill which, subject to Holyrood’s approval, would tackle booze binges by banning pub happy hours and promotions that encourage quick drinking such as “two-for-one” deals. The reforms are due to take effect on a single date, after a transition period of around 18 months from February 2008.
Mr Lyon has previously stated that the “outdated” licensing laws, more than 25 years old, do not reflect modern Scotland.
Also due to speak today on the English perspective was Peter Gartenberg, head of gambling licensing at the Executive and Philip Doyle, Licensing Policy Advisor with the City of Westminster Council. |
