Examination of Witness (Questions 300-304)
FEDERATION OF
THE RETAIL
LICENSED TRADE,
NORTHERN IRELAND
8 MARCH 2006
Q300 Mr Fraser: On the point you
made to Rosie Cooper about reluctance to report crime, is there
any evidence that the cost of crime is being passed on to the
consumer, i.e.—and this is the information point you made—are
the unit costs for alcohol more expensive in Northern Ireland
as a consequence than they are in the rest of the United Kingdom,
for example?
Mrs Carruthers: Any costs from
crime will be passed on in some shape or form. I am not aware
that the cost of alcohol in pubs in Northern Ireland is any more
expensive than in the rest of the UK. Obviously, costs vary depending
on the pub. The costs will be passed on, just as rates costs are
passed on, and our much higher insurance costs that we have in
Northern Ireland. It would probably have an effect at the margins.
Q301 Lady Hermon: Nicola, I would
just like to ask one question to know your view—and the
Federation view as well. You said on a couple of occasions that
a small group of pub owners would not be happy to involve the
PSNI, and on another occasion you referred to the sensitivities
of some people in reporting crime; and you said, in response to
Christopher's questions, that there is a reluctance to complain
to the police. Do you think, and would the Federation be of the
view, that it would be changed if Sinn Fein were to join the policing
board, and urge other people from a Republican background to join
the police? Would that have a significant change in the attitude
of Federation members to reporting crime generally?
Mrs Carruthers: I am not sure
about the change from Federation members per se but from
my own view I would have thought it would because if Sinn Fein
did join the policing board it would be my view that there would
be an awful lot more confidence across the whole of Northern Ireland
in reporting crime.
Q302 Chairman: You have, if I may
say so, been an exemplary witness, and we congratulate you on
fielding everything on your own. All the others have had assistance
and sidekicks, but you have faced it all. We are very grateful
to you for saying that you will do a survey because that will
be helpful to us. We are not asking you to divulge names or even
locations, but an indication would be helpful because we want
to make a constructive report. We talked several times about the
business community, of which you are a part, collectively, and
individually your members; do you have a lot of participation
in bodies like CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and so
on?
Mrs Carruthers: From time to time.
Q303 Chairman: Are you affiliated
to any of them?
Mrs Carruthers: Not formally,
no, but we would discuss and meet on matters of equal and joint
concern.
Q304 Chairman: So you will be familiar
with Mr Mitchell, one of our earlier witnesses, from the Federation?
Yes. Are there any final questions from colleagues, or is there
a final point you would want to make?
Mrs Carruthers: I do not think
there is anything more I would like to say—just thank you
very much for your time. Hopefully, whatever I have said has been
useful.
Chairman: Extremely. Thank you very much
indeed for coming. Thank you for what you are going to do. There
may be some written questions we will send to you; and equally
there may be points when you go back and think, "I wish I
had dealt with that", so if that is the case, please feel
free to write to the Clerk. We look forward to the beer tour with
you later in the year!
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