Tory's plea for delay in pub law THE Assembly's Tory leader called this week for new pub licensing laws to be delayed in Wales until binge drinking is brought under control. Nick Bourne called for a study of the effects of binge drinking and alcohol-related crime. He said he feared problems in town and city centres could increase if pubs were allowed to open around the clock. The controversial new licensing laws come into force on November 24 in Wales and England when pubs and clubs can stay open beyond 11pm. Licensees have faced a frantic rush to register their applications with local councils. Last weekend dozens of applications for extended hours to midnight and after came before council hearings after complaints, mainly from local residents. Police chiefs, judges and opposition politicians have warned the government the new laws will add to Britain's binge drinking problems. Welsh Conservative AMs claim binge drinking turns places like Cardiff city centre into no-go areas for many people at weekends and have proposed a series of measures to crack down on yob culture. They include giving councils the power to restrict the issue of late night licences granted to drinking establishments, without them having to worry their decisions would be overturned by the courts. | 
