Tories to fight plans to ban drink sales to under-21s
We’ll continue to lead opposition against proposals, says Goldie
Published:
The sale of alcohol to people under 21 will be banned under legislation planned for this year’s legislative programme, MSPs heard yesterday.
First Minister Alex Salmond told Holyrood a consultation on proposals for drinks restrictions would end later this month.
The proposals included banning off-sale drinks to under-21s, setting a minimum price for alcoholic drinks, and introducing a “social responsibility fee”.
“We will reflect on the results of that consultation and use this bill (the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill) to bring into effect those proposals which require primary legislation,” he said.
The Tories pledged to fight the plan.
“We will continue to lead the opposition to the ludicrous plans to criminalise a responsible, 20-year-old adult who wants to buy a bottle of wine to take home and celebrate the birth of his baby,” said Tory leader Annabel Goldie.
“We will also fight against stigmatising the pensioner who wants to buy alcohol in the supermarket and would be forced to line up in a special ’drinks-only’ queue.”
Scottish Grocers’ Federation executive John Drummond said the legislation would create “ridiculous anomalies” that penalise the majority of adults who drink responsibly and increase the burden of regulation and costs for legitimate businesses.
“SGF are concerned the measures will have little effect on problem drinkers and have outlined our industry’s views in our response to the Scottish Government’s alcohol consultation, to be submitted later this week,” it said.
Other elements of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill will reform community punishments imposed by the courts, and will ensure serious and violent offenders are dealt with “firmly and effectively” in prison, said Mr Salmond.
It will also reform criminal law procedures and, with the creation of a sentencing council, will ensure public confidence in sentencing decisions, said the first minister.
Labour’s Pauline McNeill said Scots would be “astounded” there was no mention of ending automatic early release for prisoners.
“Ending automatic early release was a commitment from the SNP that has got lost, and if Kenny MacAskill wants to build on confidence in the justice system he needs to ensure that he takes action on early release this year,” she said. “Scotland will be astounded if there is no progress on this issue as it reflects the SNP attitude to victims of crime.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said later: “We are considering how we might deliver a more coherent penal policy, including any amendments to the measures in the Custodial Sentence and Weapons Act, and will do so before the end of the year.”
Readers' Comments