Despite similar measures having been introduced by the previous UK Government with regards the licensing and control of adult entertainment venues in England and Wales opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament today voted down similar measures introduced in an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill by the Glasgow MSP Sandra White.

Ms White who tabled the amendment, in close collaboration with Glasgow City Council, had hoped to gain the support of opposition parties for the amendment which would given Local Authorities the power to regulate lap dancing clubs and other adult entertainment venues.

The amendment would have created a new licensing regime for these types of entertainment venues and would have allowed local Authorities to decide individually, whether or not they wanted to have such clubs in their areas. After being redrafted to reflect concerns over the new licensing regime's effect on the 'legitimate arts'  it had been hoped that opposition parties would back the new moves; however disappointingly they rejected the measures.

Speaking after the vote Ms White said: "I would like to thank everyone for their support for this amendment and in particular Councillor Jim Coleman from Glasgow City Council; however I am extremely disappointed that opposition parties did not support this important piece of legislation which would have given Local Authorities  control over these venues and would have responded to the legitimate concerns of many woman's groups and individuals"

"I am also very angry at the Glasgow MSPS who also voted against this legislation particularly when Glasgow City council had asked for these powers in the first place"

"It is sheer hypocrisy for some Glasgow MSPS, to put themselves forward as champions of woman's rights; to speak out against female exploitation and then to vote in this manner and they should be ashamed."

Notes:

A full transcript of the debate can be found in the Scottish Parliament Official Report which will be published on Friday 1st July.

Excerpts of Ms White's speech can be found below.

Thank you presiding officer in moving amendment 198, I would like to thank the work of the Committee in its scrutiny of the amendment to license sexual entertainment venues and I am hopeful that the redrafted amendment will have answered any concerns the committee, members or organisations may have had. In order to avoid any confusion this amendment does not in itself ban lap dancing clubs it allows individual local authorities to adopt a licensing regime in respect of such venues.

Local Authorities would be free to decide what licensing regime they want with regards such venues and on this basis would now have the necessary powers to decide whether or not they wished such establishment; how many they wish and where.

This is a necessary amendment as currently such venues are not licensed separately from bars or clubs and as such local authorities do not have control over their provision.

The redrafted amendment also deals with concerns voiced by arts groups by ensuring that premises licensed under the 1968 Theatres Act and premises with a public entertainment license are excluded from being licensed entertainment venues.

This I hope will allay any fears with the provision of artistic shows or other entertainment which was highlighted in the responses received by the committee at stage 2.

Therefore I believe that the amendment before us is a legitimate and proportionate response to the issue of licensing adult entertainment venues which will give individual local authorities the power and freedom to take the action they deem appropriate.