To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 24 July 2006, Official Report, columns 956-7W, on the Licensing Act, what meetings the Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism has held since 24 May with representatives of (a) the licensing trade, (b) local authorities, (c) residents’ groups, (d) magistrates, (e) police officers, (f) village hall associations, (g) sports clubs, (h) performing arts, (i) the tourism industry, (j) fire services and (k) the retail sector to discuss the Licensing Act 2003 and related legislation; and if she will make a statement. (93824)

The answer of 24 July wrongly attributed a meeting with stakeholders as taking place on 24 May. This happened on 6 June. Since then the following meetings have taken place to discuss the Licensing Act.

12 July:

Historic Houses Association

9 October:

Asda, Sainsbury’s, Retail of Alcohol Standards Group, Morrisons, Co-op, United Co-op, Somerfield, Tesco, Wine and Spirits Trade Association, British Retail Consortium, Association of Convenience Stores, Musgrave, Budgens, Londis, Association of Chief Police Officers, Trading Standards Institute, LACORS, Home Office and DCMS.

16 October:

Alcohol Concern

18 October:

Better Regulation Commission

I wrote to representatives of several key stakeholder organisations in September inviting them to a meeting which is scheduled for 26 October to discuss the Licensing Act. The following organisations are scheduled to attend:

Home Office; Department for Communities and Local Government; Association of Chief Police Officers; LACORS; LGA; British Retail Consortium; British Beer and Pub Association; Mitchells and Butlers plc; Nexum Leisure; Central Council for Physical Recreation; and Action with Communities in Rural England.