PEOPLE in the region are to send their views on binge-drinking to the Home Secretary.
Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, will give the opinion of people who attended Big Conversation events in the area to David Blunkett.
Dr Kumar said suggestions from the public were similar to ones in a Government report that looks at how binge-drinking can be curbed.
He said: "Some really positive ideas came from these sessions, such as that planning law should be changed to stop the conversion of vacant town centre commercial buildings into drinking establishments. Also, that those who commit acts of violence under the influence of drink should be made to pay for the cost of the medical treatment of their victims.
"There were suggestions that there should be changes to the powers of local authority wardens so that they can play a role in helping police at pub closing times, and that there should be tighter control and regulation over the licensing system and the recruitment and training of pub tenants and managers, and bar staff."
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