A new law to close loopholes in the sale of alcohol or minors, which comes into effect in the new year, was given royal assent on Thursday.

Paul Truswell, the Labour MP for Pudsey, received government backing for his bill to combat the sale of alcohol to under 18s. Current law gives immunity to anyone who sells intoxicating liquor to a person under 18, but who cannot be described in court as the "servant" of the licensee. Home Office minister Mike O'Brien said that the new law "modernises our licensing laws by ending the absurdity of such immunity".

It also creates a new offence of purchasing alcohol on behalf of a minor, protecting children from unscrupulous adults who either sell them or buy alcohol on their behalf. The bill was passed ahead of the Government's forthcoming plans to overhaul the whole licensing system, set out in the white paper "Time for Reform: Proposals for the Modernisation of Our Licensing Laws", published in April 2000.

A recent report from Alcohol Concern revealed that the average weekly amount drunk by all 11-15 year-olds was 1.6 alcohol units by the end of the 90s - compared with 0.8 units in 1990. Those who were drinking were consuming on average almost ten units a week by 1998, compared with 5.3 units in 1990. There has also been a steady increase in the frequency of 11-15 year-olds taking part in drinking sessions - with the number saying they drink at least once a week rising to 21 per cent by 1999, compared with 20 per cent in 1996 and 17 per cent in 1994.