Deferral of licence fees regulation welcomed

January 15, 2008: The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has welcomed today's decision of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee to defer approval of a regulation that would have set fees for new alcohol licences at double the levels outlined a few months ago.

The SBPA has the regulation could have cost the licensed trade in Scotland up to £20 million over the next 18 months, an increase from the previous
estimate of £10 million.

The committee agreed to defer final consideration of the regulation until its meeting next week, when it has asked the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to attend and answer questions.

"In addition, the committee has agreed to table a motion of annulment on the fees regulation in Parliament so that if it decides to reject it next week members can then have the matter voted on by the whole Parliament.

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the SBPA, said: "The decision of the committee not to approve this regulation this morning and ask the Cabinet Secretary further questions about the regulation will be welcomed by the trade which wants explanations about how the bill which it faces over the next 18 months will possibly be up to treble what it currently pays in Scotland."