The hospitality industry has welcomed today's Home Office announcement for radical changes in the antiquated licensing laws, enabling operators to potentially stay open around the clock. Jack Straw will today deliver the Time For Reform white paper following a year-long consultation on relaxing what the industry perceives as archaic licensing laws. Key elements of the new system would include scrapping the traditional fixed closing times to stagger pub closure and curb the culture of 'binge drinking' that can often lead to street disturbances by rowdy drinkers. Additionally, licensees can apply for flexible licenses with the potential for up to 24 hour opening, premises can increase access for children, and a new split licensing system will enable landlords and their premises to be given separate premises. John Brackenbury, chair of Business in Sport and Leisure welcomes the biggest reforms for more than 40 years: BISL has long called for reform of Liquor Licensing. We have worked with the government and the Home Office, along with other industry associations, for some years, and we are delighted at Jack Straw's statement today. Individual members who own pubs, casinos, bingo clubs, nightclubs, ten-pin bowling, restaurants and sports centres will be able to reduce their costs substantially. The relaxation in opening hours will be a huge boost to tourists who cannot understand our antiquated laws post 11pm, he continued. Home Office Minister, Mike O'Brien, says the reform will provide operators with savings, give consumers a greater choice and increase safety for local residents. We are determined to bring forward these reforms as quickly as possible, he commented. The reforms will be included in Labour's first Queen's Speech, if they win the next general election, expected next month.