Are bigger binges on the way? (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Are bigger binges on the way?

JAMES Purnell, the Licensing Minister, says the Licensing Act 2003 will come into action on Thursday, November 24 (SA, Alcohol laws in spotlight, October 24).

Will Labour's libertarian reforms turn us into a Continental-style nation which can drink responsibly or create bigger binge-Britain?

Responsibility rests with the drinks industry and licensees, the very people whose interests lie in selling as much alcohol as possible to as many people as possible. How many of them are aware that it is illegal to sell alcohol to someone who is drunk?

Many premises have applied to extend licences past 11pm, will pub and brewery chains pay for all-night policing and street cleaning?

Will local authorities withdraw licences from pubs which allow drinking to descend into disorder?

Current figures on alcohol-related illness and death suggest that Britain has a major drinking problem, 48 per cent of violent crime is drink-fuelled and in 2004 drink-related road deaths rose to 530 from 400 in 1999.

N E GOUGH

Eldene, Swindon