Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will take steps to increase the powers of trading standards officers to allow them to withdraw alcohol licences for those caught selling illicit tobacco.

The Government has no plans to increase the powers of trading standards officers to allow them to withdraw alcohol licences for those caught selling illegal tobacco. Trading standards officers may ask the licensing authority to review a premises licence because of a matter arising at the premises in connection with any of the four licensing objectives, which include the prevention of crime. The licensing authority may revoke the licence where they consider this appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.