Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman): Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5692, in the name of Kenny MacAskill, on tackling alcohol misuse.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): SNP

The Scottish National Party's motion seeks to express the concern that is shared throughout the Parliament—and increasingly throughout the land—that Scotland...

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): Lab

Does the member welcome the alcohol test purchasing scheme that is being rolled out, after being piloted in Fife, whereby retailers who sell alcohol to under...

Mr MacAskill: SNP

The test purchasing scheme is welcomed in the motion, and the member's comment about education for parents and children brings us back to the culture change ...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD

I welcome the opportunity to talk about an important subject and describe actions that we have taken as part of a long-term process of changing culture—I am ...

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): SNP

Will the minister give way?

George Lyon: LD

I have quite a bit to say and I want to make progress, but I will give way to the member soon.We cannot have a short-term approach that targets one issue but...

Bruce Crawford: SNP

Yesterday, the Local Government and Transport Committee considered a statutory instrument that will allow clubs to open to the public and sell cheaper drink,...

George Lyon: LD

As Mr Crawford will remember from discussing the matter in committee, the occasional licences provided for by the regulations that we dealt with yesterday ar...

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): Ind

Will the member give way?

George Lyon: LD

I do not have a lot of time, but yes.

Margo MacDonald: Ind

It is just a quick question. Will the Executive ban drink that is considered to be too high in its alcoholic content?

George Lyon: LD

I am just coming to that matter. For on-sales premises, we are banning promotions that offer alcohol free or at a reduced price on the purchase of another dr...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh): Con

You have one minute left.

George Lyon: LD

We will shortly publish the outcome of research that examined issues around off-sales promotions and antisocial behaviour, as we promised during the stage 1 ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

Quickly.

George Lyon: LD

We can change culture, as the smoking ban shows. It is about creating a society where alcohol misuse is no longer acceptable.

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

You must close.

George Lyon: LD

That inclusive approach is the right way to tackle Scotland's love affair with the booze.I move amendment S2M-5692.2, to leave out from "with concern" to end...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

I call Nanette Milne to open for the Conservatives. You have four minutes.

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): Con

Alcohol misuse is one of the most serious public health problems facing Scotland. Long gone are the days of my youth, when alcohol was available at home only...

George Lyon: LD

I hope that the member will recognise that we can amend the schedule to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 to deal with the situation if we think that on-sale...

Mrs Milne: Con

Yes, I appreciate that, minister.

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

You have one minute, Mrs Milne.

Mrs Milne: Con

There are so many licensed premises today that competition for custom is fierce, and licensing boards should be seriously considering the proliferation of al...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

I must hurry you, Mrs Milne.

Mrs Milne: Con

The Conservatives have previously called for a crackdown on owners of licensed premises that sell to underage drinkers and for businesses to become more invo...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

You really must close.

Mrs Milne: Con

We must support all initiatives to safeguard our society against alcohol abuse.I move amendment S2M-5692.1, to leave out from "and calls" to end and insert:"...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

I must stress to members that four minutes means four minutes—not four and a half, or four and three quarters. The rest of the speeches will have to be timed...