A backlog of applications has resulted in pubs in Scotland being allowed to avoid tough new licensing laws temporarily.

Fears that some managers would not get their new personal licenses through by the September 1 deadline have forced Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to waive the rules for a while.

He will people who apply for a personal licence by August 31 to continue selling alcohol from September 1, even if their licence has not yet been granted by their local licensing board.

MacAskill said: “There is evidence from the trade that the issue of personal licences was becoming a concern and could cause problems for licensed premises. That’s why I’ve taken the decision to lay further regulations to give some leeway.

“This is a common-sense approach to introduce a little flexibility and prevent a problem arising.”

But a labour spokesman has disagreed saying that MacAskill should have made these changes sooner and is not up to the job of Justice Secretary.

What do you think about this, could MacAskill have prevented this problem??

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