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MSP asks Labour to explain alcohol pricing stance
WESTERN Isles MSP, Alasdair Allan, has called on the Labour Party in the Western Isles to clarify whether or not they support legislation to tackle the availability of ultra-cheap alcohol, following last night’s vote in the Scottish Parliament when minimum pricing was supported by every party except Labour, who abstained.
Dr Allan commented: “I believe the time has come for Scotland to tackle the problems that come as an inevitable result of being able to buy two litres of white cider for less than the same amount of lemonade.
“Yesterday saw legislation to enforce a minimum price for alcohol pass its first stage in parliament. We have to promote a more responsible culture around alcohol in Scotland if we are going to address the damage that problem drinking does to families and communities, a problem from which the Western Isles is certainly not immune.
“Minimum pricing is unlikely to affect the cost of a pint in a pub, but it will, I hope, limit the availability of ridiculously cheap alcohol from some shops.
“This is legislation which is supported by the health service, police, churches, charities and everyone in the Scottish Parliament, it would now seem, with the sole exception of the Labour Party.
“Their attitude in blocking this legislation throughout the last Parliament, and still unable to bring themselves to vote for it now, is incomprehensible, but their view will not prevail on this issue.”
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Weather for Stornoway
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: North west
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