LICENSING OF LAP DANCING ESTABLISHMENTS

That this House supports extending across England and Wales powers currently only held by London local authorities to license sex encounter establishments; supports removing a provision from the Licensing Act 2003 which has the effect of exempting lap dancing clubs from this licensing category; notes that lap dancing clubs are part of the commercial sex industry yet are currently licensed in the same way as cafes and karaoke; further notes that amending legislation would give local authorities the same licensing powers for lap dancing clubs as apply to sex shops and sex cinemas; and believes that this would be a crucial step in giving local people a better say in licensing policy.