Government to crack down on underage drinkers.

At a special sitting of Parliament yesterday the Liquor License Amendment Act received its second and third readings. It now goes up to the Upper House before becoming law next year.

The Act, which was steered through the House by Education Minister Jerome Dill, created new crimes including the banning of anyone under 18 from licensed premises and hefty fines for license owners who serve youngsters.

Underage drinkers who produce false identification will also face stiff punishments and grocery stores will have to segregate the liquor section of their stores to stop underage customers from being tempted.

But there were also concessions for license holders. In a bid to boost tourism the Act will also permit restaurant and hotel owners to serve alcohol `al fresco' on the sidewalks directly attached to their premises, allowing diners to enjoy a glass of wine with their meal if they chose to eat outside.

Mr. Dill said the Act would "rationalise and harmonise the provision of liquor licenses.'' He said: "One of the principle aspects of this Bill is the area of presenting alcohol for the consumption by our young people.

"There has been in law for some time the offence which deals with the selling of alcohol to young people on licensed premises. Why don't we build on that and say that they should not be allowed on licensed premises? That's what we have done -- to create a specific criminal offence of allowing young people onto licensed premises.

"We have also created an offence of offering up false identification.

"But we have to get parents more involved in the process. Halloween was a very quiet night because we managed to encourage parents to spend the day at school and ride on the bus home and the result was most salutary. That's what one would expect in a civilised country such as this one.'' Report from House: Page 4