SNP blitz on booze may be blocked - Evening Times

OPPOSITION parties have warned the Scottish Government its plans for tackling drink misuse faced defeat in Parliament.

Labour and the LibDems accused the Government of trying to bulldoze controversial measures through Holyrood.

The claim was denied by the Government, which said parliamentary approval was needed for all the measures.

The measures, some of which are fiercely opposed by the drinks and retail industry, include a ban on cut-price offers, raising the minimum age for off-sales purchases to 21, a minimum price for alcohol, and a "social responsibility fee" for some retailers.

The Government hopes to implement some measures by including them in the new Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill, and others by amending existing regulations - a process which involves less thorough parliamentary scrutiny.

Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker said: "The SNP is trying to bulldoze its alcohol plans in by the back door.

"It is treating parliament with contempt and running scared of public opinion.

"If it doesn't come forward with an adequate response the plans are set to fail."

LibDem Mike Rumbles said: "The SNP needs to let MSPs scrutinise fully and vote on controversial measures like minimum pricing, which could have a devastating impact on the whisky industry.

"If it continues trying to sneak through these measures then the entire package would be dead in the water."