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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Brown 'may reverse drinking laws' | Brown 'may reverse drinking laws' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown has said he could overturn the recent law allowing pubs in England and Wales to open 24 hours a day. | |
| The prime minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I will not hesitate to change policies if I think that we have got to make these changes." | The prime minister told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I will not hesitate to change policies if I think that we have got to make these changes." |
| Mr Brown also said binge-drinking was an "unacceptable" form of behaviour. | Mr Brown also said binge-drinking was an "unacceptable" form of behaviour. |
| He began a review of extended licensing hours - brought in by predecessor Tony Blair - when he became prime minister in June. | He began a review of extended licensing hours - brought in by predecessor Tony Blair - when he became prime minister in June. |
| 'Looking again' | 'Looking again' |
| Mr Brown told Today there was an "issue" about 24-hour licensing. | Mr Brown told Today there was an "issue" about 24-hour licensing. |
| He added: "That's why we are reviewing it. Where there are things that are wrong and where mistakes have been made, we will look at these and we will change these things. | He added: "That's why we are reviewing it. Where there are things that are wrong and where mistakes have been made, we will look at these and we will change these things. |
| "That's why on casinos we are looking again, on cannabis we are looking again and that's why on 24-hour drinking we are looking again." | "That's why on casinos we are looking again, on cannabis we are looking again and that's why on 24-hour drinking we are looking again." |
| Binge-drinking is unacceptable, bullying is unacceptable, bad behaviour in classrooms is unacceptable. Gordon Brown | Binge-drinking is unacceptable, bullying is unacceptable, bad behaviour in classrooms is unacceptable. Gordon Brown |
| Asked about the impact of longer licensing hours on behaviour, he told GMTV: "I think we have got to learn. In most cases, it has not had any devastating effect. | Asked about the impact of longer licensing hours on behaviour, he told GMTV: "I think we have got to learn. In most cases, it has not had any devastating effect. |
| "It is the same with cannabis. It is the message you send out. | "It is the same with cannabis. It is the message you send out. |
| "Why I want to upgrade cannabis and make it more a drug that people worry about is because we don't want to send out a message - just like with alcohol - to teenagers that we accept these things. | "Why I want to upgrade cannabis and make it more a drug that people worry about is because we don't want to send out a message - just like with alcohol - to teenagers that we accept these things. |
| "Binge-drinking is unacceptable, bullying is unacceptable, bad behaviour in classrooms is unacceptable. | "Binge-drinking is unacceptable, bullying is unacceptable, bad behaviour in classrooms is unacceptable. |
| "If it needs a reversal of policy, we will do it. Just as with gambling, we will review all the evidence and if a change needs to be made, I will not hesitate to make a change in the interests of the country." | "If it needs a reversal of policy, we will do it. Just as with gambling, we will review all the evidence and if a change needs to be made, I will not hesitate to make a change in the interests of the country." |
| Laws allowing 24-hour licensing were brought in at the end of 2005. | Laws allowing 24-hour licensing were brought in at the end of 2005. |
| A Home Office inquiry into the subject is expected to report by the end of the year. | A Home Office inquiry into the subject is expected to report by the end of the year. |