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Herewith the text of a letter received back, very quickly, from my MP,
Richard Spring. In view of the contents, which seem to agree with the
recent comments on the list and the website quoted, I would urge all UK
list members to alert their bands and to write to their MPs to make sure
the Bill is amended.
RICHARD SPRING, M.P.
House Of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
9 December 2002
Thank you for your letter and enclosures concerning entertainment
licences. The Government has now published its Licensing Bill which sets
out the Government=92s proposals for modernising the alcohol, public
entertaining, theatre, cinema, night caf=E9 and late night refreshment
house licensing system in England and Wales.
As you know, currently the law requires annual or occasional licensing
of premises for public indoor (and in London open air) music, dancing or
similar entertainment (though pub entertainment by up to two live
musicians is exempt) and sports events; outside London local authorities
may, but do not have to, require open air musical entertainment to be
licensed. Licences include discretionary operating conditions, which
typically covers hours; fire and safety precautions; and control of
noise.
The Bill proposes to abolish separate entertainment licences, and make
licensing live music part of the new =91premises licence=92. This would
abolish the anachronistic =91two-in-a-bar=92 rule, which requires a
separate
licence for live music with more than two musicians. Deregulating live
music, while still retaining sufficient controls for the public ought to
provide a good environment for all where music and choice could
flourish. However, the Government intends to make the =91two-in-a-bar=92
rule a =91none-in-a-bar=92 rule, requiring all live music to be
licensed.
This will impose unnecessary regulation on businesses and musicians
across the country.
The Government=92s proposals to license entertainment could apply to
carol
singing when not part of a religious service or live music in churches,
both of which are currently exempt (or not charged) from licensing. Even
children=92s plays, fete=92s with bands, or private performances raising
money for charity could be required to be licensed.
Such proposals will make life difficult for musicians, and impose
unnecessary regulation on everyday activities. I can assure you that I
and my Conservative colleagues in Parliament will be pressing the
Government to review and revise these parts of the Bill when it is
discussed in parliament.
Thank you again for your letter on this topic. If I can be of help in
any other way, please do not hesitate to write again.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Spring.
Grandad
--
NJH Sheet Music, bandsman.co.uk/music.htm,
Prima Arts, quality music for quality bands, www.prima-arts.co.uk,
Toot-Sweet, instrument repairers, www.toot-sweet.co.uk,
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