Policing and Crime Bill

My Lords, this group of amendments is very wide ranging and covers several important points, which I hope I have understood correctly. We are, of course, extremely supportive of the intention that more power should be devolved to licensing authorities. We would like to see considerably more powers given to them, so on that basis we will not oppose the amendments. However, these provisions are becoming extremely complicated, with conditions coming thick and fast from all directions. I hope that the Minister will give some thought to ensuring that the implementation of these conditions will be made as clear as possible for the numerous businesses that will be complying with them. Similarly, although consultation with those businesses is of course essential, the Minister is admitting with these amendments that the Government's policy with these provisions is more than a little unformed. This schedule is starting to look like an admission that the current licensing regime is unsatisfactory—with which we agree—but that the Government have no clear idea of what should replace it. They are therefore opening up the question in the hope that someone comes up with a better idea. Finally, I did not hear the noble Lord mention the necessity or possibility of an appeal, which, as I read at least one of his amendments, is intended. If I am wrong in that, we will not need to move the appeal amendments which I have on the Order Paper. Perhaps the noble Lord will confirm that moving them will be unnecessary.