Clement-Jones, whose Bill passed through its second reading in the Lords earlier this month, has been told that the Government planned to support the Bill - with caveats.

These are that the Government can test that de-regulation - to allow small venues an exemption from the Licensing Act - will not lead to any unintended negative consequences such as upsetting local communities. It planned to introduce a full impact assessment of the Bill.

A source close to Clement-Jones said the ...