Pubs Code Adjudicator Debate

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Lord Bellingham

Main Page: Lord Bellingham (Conservative - Life peer)

Pubs Code Adjudicator

Lord Bellingham Excerpts
Thursday 10th March 2016

(8 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Anna Soubry Portrait Anna Soubry
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No, I don’t know him. I did not meet him until—[Interruption.] I met him at the end of the procedure, as the House would expect. His was one of three names put forward, quite properly, in a full, open and fair process, and I object very strongly, on behalf of Mr Newby, who will do this job with propriety. All things will be done properly.

Lord Bellingham Portrait Sir Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)
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The Minister has behaved absolutely correctly and properly. Surely what matters is Paul Newby’s ability. Does she agree that he should look first at, among other things, the loophole that allows retailers and shop owners to buy a pub that does not require planning permission, whereas if it reverts to being a pub, it does require planning permission?

Anna Soubry Portrait Anna Soubry
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Yes. Paul Newby’s primary job, of course, is to implement the pubs code and make sure it is complied with. When people invoke the pubs code, his job will be to act as a fair arbitrator, and I have no doubt that he has all the necessary skills and experience of the pub trade. As I have said, he has experience of representing both pub companies and tenants, so he sees things from both sides; he has all the skills, and his appointment was made with great care and total propriety.