21 July 2010
By Emily Ryans
Yesterday the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable gave his first appearance before the Select Committee monitoring his Department.
During the meeting Brian Binley MP (Northampton South) asked Mr Cable to confirm that the Government would revisit the Codes of Practice of the Large Pub Companies if the Pub Companies were not found to be acting properly. Mr Cable confirmed that the new Government will continue that policy. The Business Secretary also said that he is actively monitoring the beer tie situation, including among licensees in his local area. He said:
"They tell me that they're very frustrated with the tie arrangements and they do want reform but as you know because of your committee's recommendations they're on probation at the moment. I think the commitment is to give them until June 2011 and if they haven't delivered a more satisfactory arrangement then there will have to be legislative action."