Alcohol devolution move gets short shrift

A bid to have licensing powers devolved to Wales has been slapped by down by the secretary of state.

Last week Welsh Assembly health minister Edwina Hart wrote to her Assembly colleagues explaining her desire to have licensing legislation controlled in Cardiff.

But shortly after her email dropped into AMs' in-boxes she was slammed by Welsh secretary David Jones on radio, who said "there are no plans to devolve alcohol licensing to Wales".

Hart's email stated that "the Welsh Assembly government intends to make a formal approach to the UK government for the devolution for powers in relation to alcohol licensing".

She went on to say that she would outline her case as part of her response to the coalition government's current consultation on the Licensing Act.

An alternative option, she said, was seeking approval in Westminster for an order created in Cardiff.

Hart's email added: "The Welsh Assembly government has consistently lobbied the UK government on the issue but there has only been limited progress…It is also clear from discussions in the chamber that there is a broad consensus among Assembly Members to seek these powers."

But Jones hit back in an interview with the BBC in which he said alcohol legislation was "specifically excluded" from the devolution settlement.

He later released a statement explaining that the government has no plans to let go of its grip on alcohol legislation.

"The coalition government's programme makes clear our determination to overhaul the 24 hour licensing and tackle alcohol fuelled crime and we are currently consulting on a range of measures to take this forward.

"It is essential that there is a joined up approach to tackle these serious issues in England and Wales. We will continue to work with the Welsh Assembly government as proposals are developed, however there are no plans to devolve alcohol licensing to Wales," he said.