MINIMUM PRICING WON’T SOLVE SCOTLAND’S BOOZE PROBLEM (Jim Hume)

MINIMUM PRICING WON’T SOLVE SCOTLAND’S BOOZE PROBLEM

March 9, 2009 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has warned that the Scottish Government must bring forward alcohol proposals in a proper Parliamentary Bill which would then be subject to full and detailed scrutiny by a Parliamentary Committee and a vote by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

As it stands, the SNP is trying to sneak many of these changes, including the controversial and substantial area of minimum pricing through under the counter by simply changing existing regulations.

Liberal Democrats in Holyrood have written to the Justice Secretary calling on him to introduce an Alcohol Bill to the Scottish Parliament.

Jim Hume said:

"It's outrageous that the SNP is trying to sneak through such major reforms. Ministers are trying to impose, by stealth, fundamental change to consumer choice that could damage a key national industry. It is astonishing, but perhaps not surprising, that they are attempting to dodge proper scrutiny.

"Everyone agrees that tackling Scotland's drinking culture should be a key priority, but that is no excuse for allowing ill-thought out measures to slip through.

"Liberal Democrats will be pushing hard for the alcohol proposals to be subject to proper scrutiny, debate and, most importantly a vote. The public and the industry should have a say and MSPs need time and the ability to vote on different bits of these proposals.

The MSP continued:

"Certainly in the South of Scotland, minimum pricing would not be a real and effective measure to tackle alcohol addiction or binge drinking. Instead it will remove choice for responsible drinkers, will not stop those with an alcohol problem from buying it and could potentially drive people in the South of Scotland across the border for cheaper booze.

"Scotland's alcohol problems are complex. We need a considered approach, not the current administration's politics of stealth and soundbite."

ENDS