Adrian Bailey, of the Business, Innovation & Skills Committee (BISC), added this could lead to a further debate on the issue, which he has yet to arrange.
Last week, morningadvertiser.co.uk revealed that, during scrutiny by the BISC, Vince Cable, Secretary of State for the Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) department, said he was disappointed at the progress made by the self-regulation deal.
Cable said: “The strengthened code of practice had not yet appeared or been agreed, and that is a considerable disappointment.” He added that the Government is not washing its hands of the issue.
His comments came weeks after BIS told the PMA that all the commitments in the self-regulation deal “have now been achieved”.
The minister in charge of the deal at BIS, Jo Swinson MP, refused to be interviewed on the issue.
Last year, the Government failed to implement the BISC recommendation of a statutory code, saying instead that a strengthened industry framework code would be made legally binding. It also agreed a Pubs Independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service and Pubs Advisory Service would be launched.
Bailey said: “It was astonishing. He (Vince Cable) was effectively saying that the Government’s approach — as outlined to the BIS committee — was not working and it was at odds with the minister responsible
for the issue. It demonstrates that he needs to get a grip on it.”
British Beer & Pub Association chief Brigid Simmonds said: “Everyone shares the same desire, to bring the new version of the code into effect as soon as possible.
“Version five of the code was a big step forward. We are looking to build upon it. The negotiations and sign-off process for version six of the code have taken time.”