Alcohol: Calorie Labelling

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Thursday 13th March 2014 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, this area is currently under scrutiny by my ministerial colleagues in the Treasury.

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, the noble Earl mentioned the Chief Medical Officer. Did he see her comment last week that the Government ought to consider a sugar tax? What response have the Government made to their own Chief Medical Officer?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, as I have just indicated to the noble Lord, Lord Harrison, taxation is always an instrument that Governments consider. We continue to keep the international evidence on that under review, but we think that for now the voluntary action we have put in place is delivering results. We will keep a close eye on progress but taxation is always an instrument that Governments can deploy.