Brooks Newmark questions whether the clause in the Bill that aims to bring lap dancing clubs into the remit of local licensing actually grants sufficient powers to enable local communities to stop such clubs opening.

Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): My hon. Friend may not know that a lap-dancing club opened in Braintree, which-as he knows-is a genteel market town. Does he honestly believe that clause 25 will grant sufficient powers to stop lap-dancing clubs from opening in towns such as Braintree?

Mr. Ruffley: I believe that the intention is to deliver that result and we will explore the matter in detail to ensure that the wording achieves that effect.

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