Alcohol

Debate between Lord Prior of Brampton and Lord Garel-Jones

Wednesday 9th December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My Lords, I think that is an incorrect labelling of the responsibility deal. It might not be perfect, but it has achieved some benefits, not just in relation to alcohol but in salt reduction and other areas. On drink and driving, the social argument has been won, and the number of deaths through drink and driving—although still far too high—has gone down from some 1,640 in 1979 to 240. So improvements are being made.

[Lord Garel-Jones (Con)]

My Lords, can the Minister confirm that alcohol continues to be regarded as a habit-forming, hallucinatory drug?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My Lords, I am not sure who considers alcohol to be habit-forming and hallucinatory—whether it is my noble friend or others. I think it depends very much on the quantities in which it is taken.