Alcohol: Strategy Debate

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Department: Home Office

Alcohol: Strategy

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts
Tuesday 27th March 2012

(12 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, I cannot give any commitment about when and how we will do that. Obviously, primary legislation will be necessary to bring forward a minimum unit price. However, I can make it clear that the Prime Minister has given his own personal commitment that we will bring in a minimum unit price. That is why we are consulting on what the proposed and proper level should be.

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Portrait Baroness Gardner of Parkes
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My Lords, can the Minister tell me what the situation is? It is reported in the press that a minimum unit price might be illegal under European Commission rules as being anti-competitive. Does he have any views on that? What procedures would we have to follow to deal with that? We are very concerned on health grounds and support the idea.