asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to review the operation of licensing and licensing appeal courts in Scotland and, in particular, to consider the advisability of ensuring that less than half of the members of the licensing appeal court in any authority consists of members of the licensing court.

The Clayson Committee in its report considered the constitution of licensing and licensing appeal courts and made recommendations for reform of these courts, including the abolition of the present type of appeal court. I am at present giving careful consideration to those recommendations, but I am not yet in a position to announce any decision.