THE Government recently held a meeting with the British Beer and Pub Association to find out why so many pubs are closing.

At the last count it was 39 a week – with the loss of 20,000 jobs and a further 75,000 under threat.

It did not need a meeting to find out why, for the Government is entirely responsible – though, as usual, is trying to pass the buck.

Chancellor Darling increased the tax on alcohol in pubs, with a further increase due soon, while encouraging supermarkets to sell alcohol at a lower price than many publicans can buy wholesale.

This has also made it easier for underage drinkers to purchase alcohol where the controls are not as strict as in pubs.

JD Wetherspoon has stated that the last tax grab has cost the company an extra £15m this year, plus £4m for the new staff holiday entitlements.

The recession is also catching up with the pub trade due to the Government’s policies.

However the biggest effect was the introduction of the smoking ban, under pressure from the anti-smoking lobby.

The promised influx of non-smokers into pubs has not materialised.

Instead, many town pubs without gardens have been forced to close, along with some northern working men’s clubs.

Of those that have remained, smokers now congregate in the street outside, leaving litter and dog-ends on the pavements.

A group of smokers blocking the entrances also discourages others to enter and can often be threatening.

But, of course, the Government has made exceptions to this rule to suit them.

Smoking is still allowed in the bars at the Palace of Westminster. They have also given dispensation at the conference of G20 ministers, to allow them to smoke at their meetings as well as in the hotels they stay at – presumably in their rooms and in the bars.

Now that well-known killjoy, Prof Sir Liam Donaldson – the same one who called for a smoking ban in public places – has recommended a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol.

If this became law it would penalise the majority to punish the minority, with the result that many more pubs would close.

DEREK HONEY, Queen Emma’s Dyke, Witney