Britain: No More Dead Afternoons

“Time, please!” That call, issued in pubs throughout England and Wales every afternoon at 3 o’clock, Monday through Saturday, means that for the subsequent 2 1/2 hours the bars will be closed. Come October, however, the government will introduce a bill allowing pubs to remain open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. without the traditional break.

The legislation would sweep away a World War I law enacted to ensure that munitions workers remain on the job and sober. But the change remains controversial 15 years after it was first recommended by a government committee. Critics claim that longer drinking hours will promote alcohol abuse. Supporters point out that Scotland, which dropped its restrictions in 1977, has found no increase in alcoholism. If Parliament approves the bill, as expected, the so-called dead afternoon will doubtless become more spirited.