To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for the commencement of the provisions in the Policing and Crime Act 2009 to make councillors interested parties for the purposes of the Licensing Act 2003.

We plan to commence: section 28 (persistent sales to children - "three strikes to two strikes"); section 29 (confiscation of alcohol from under 18's); section 30 (new offence of persistently possessing alcohol in a public place by under 18s); section 31 (extending directions to leave to those aged 10 or over), and section 33 (allowing licensing authorities to act as interested parties) from Friday 29 January 2010.

We are currently developing the guidance on the young people provisions and the licensing authorities as interested parties provisions, so that the police, local authorities and youth services are aware of the new powers, how they work and fit together. The guidance will be ready by the end of January.