Government will receive alcohol legislation backing

UK Political Editor

Monday 1 October 2012

WESTMINSTER will stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Holyrood in fending off challenges to the Scottish Government's bid to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol.

Custom byline text:

MICHAEL SETTLE

Lord Wallace, the UK Government's Advocate General and former Deputy First Minister, makes clear today he and his colleagues will support the Scottish Government when its minimum alcohol pricing legislation is challenged in the Court of Session in October.

Tomorrow, the Liberal Democrat peer will tell a legal conference in Edinburgh: "I am sure we are all conscious of the great problems that alcohol causes for countless people in Scotland every year."In light of this, my party supported the Scottish Government's proposals for the introduction of a minimum price for alcohol and indeed the UK Government will shortly be consulting on the introduction of minimum pricing in England and Wales."He will explain how the proposal for south of the Border has the backing of the Royal College of Physicians and the Association of Chief Police Officers; it could mean 50,000 fewer crimes and around 900 fewer alcohol-related deaths per year in England and Wales by the end of this decade.However, drinks bodies, including the Scotch Whisky Association, are challenging the Scottish Parliament's legislation in the courts. Plus, the European Commission is considering whether it is compatible with EU law on free trade."It would be open to the UK Government to sit on the sidelines, and watch while the Scottish Government seeks to fend off these challenges, but we will not do that," Lord Wallace will insist."When the case is first heard in the Court of Session later this month, the UK Government will be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Scottish Government, seeking to support and complement the arguments they present and, in particular, ensure the court has the benefit of the UK Government's experience and expertise in EU law."He will add: "Both governments want Scotland to be a healthier and safer place and so both governments will act together in seeking to ensure minimum pricing can proceed."

Contextual targeting label:

Local government

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Government will receive alcohol legislation backing

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED