COMMENTING at the annual general licensing sessions at York yesterday on an "alarming increase" in the number of persons convicted of driving under the influence of drink, the chairman, Mr Gilbert Johnson, said that all magistrates took a very serious view of the matter.

"It is obvious that more drastic measures must be applied. The general public is placed in peril by the recklessness of the selfish driver," said Mr Johnson.

There had been a decline in the number of convictions for drunkenness. This state of affairs was particularly satisfactory, as the number of people visiting York for the festival was far in excess of the average.

Jazz records

Licensees had carried out their duties during the year in a proper manner and it was appreciated that these duties were not always easy.

It was noted that there were a few cases in which undesirable types of entertainment had been provided at premises which had music licences, and licensees were warned that they must keep within the limits of their music licences.

Applying for permission to play a radiogram in the lobby of the Ouse Bridge Inn, Mr M Ross-Field said that there would be no playing of jazz records as the licensee felt it was suitable for the setting that only classical music should be played.