Letter from the Clerk of the Committee
to Belfast City Council
The Home Office carried out a consultation exercise
on a proposal to amend the Sunday Observance Act 1780 to allow
charging for admission to public dances which take place on Sundays,
and to amend the Licensing Act 1964 to allow alcohol to be sold
at public dances after 10.30pm on Sundays in England and Wales.
The consultation paper setting out the Government's
proposals was issued on 1 May 1999 and responses were requested
by 30 September 1999. On 17 January 2000 a draft Order was laid
in the Houses of Parliament, for consideration by the Commons
Deregulation Committee and the Delegated Powers and Deregulation
Committee in the Lords.
For your information, I enclose a copy of the Consultation
Paper, the draft Order and the Explanatory Document.
The Deregulation Committee is aware that Sunday dancing
is allowed in Ireland and would benefit from a view from the Council.
A key concern is the effect on residents of experiencing
a disturbance on an hitherto quiet evening.
The Committee would appreciate information on your
experience of noise and nuisance and whether such problems are
greater or lesser than on any other days of the week.
The Council may also have a view on whether it is
preferable to the authorities and to residents that young people
congregate in one place, rather than roam the streets.
2 February 2000
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