An Oasis

Scotland Licensing Law Reform

The Scottish Executive backs proposals for liberalisation of Scotland's Licensing Laws which the Nicholson Committee put forward yesterday.

I'm not sure where I stand idealogically on licensing laws, being in some ways comparable to controlling the availability of firearms as a measure against violent crime. My instinct is that why the hell should I not be able to buy a bottle of wine at 3am, or stay in the Pub for 4 full days.

Equally however alcohol abuse is a significant problem and costs a huge amount to the economy. Education to combat the instinct rather than restriction to frustrate the action seems a better way. Same goes for drugs. But not for guns. Hmmm.

Posted by Paul at August 20, 2003 07:01 PM |