PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
LICENSING ACT 2003 AND CIRCUSES (10 March 2004)

That this House notes that the circus was invented in this country over 200 years ago and is a much-loved British entertainment tradition; commends the work of the Circus Arts Forum who promote circus in all forms; recognises that the Arts Council and other organisations are extremely concerned at the likely impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on circuses; notes that for the first time under the Act, circuses will have to apply for a premises licence for every site that they visit in addition to obtaining their personal licence; notes that travelling fairs will not be subject to the new premises licence; is worried about financial implications of the Act's provisions on circuses; believes that the new system will be a bureaucratic time-consuming burden as well as a financial burden; fears that many circuses, especially smaller circuses, may not be able to continue under the new system; calls on the government to publish the Guidance on the Licensing Act immediately; and further calls on the Government to listen again to the concerns of the circus industry.

Sponsored by:
David Davis (Conservative)