Oral Answers to Questions

Greg Mulholland Excerpts
Tuesday 11th October 2016

(7 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford Portrait Nicola Blackwood
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As I have said, these guidelines are simply intended to be advisory. They are intended to give the best possible information and advice and to put all the evidence in one place so that people can make the best possible decisions with their drinking.

Greg Mulholland Portrait Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD)
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Campaigners on alcohol abuse have acknowledged the importance of the pub, which is a controlled sociable environment in which to enjoy a drink compared with the unrestricted supermarkets. Will the Minister have a word with her colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government who continue to preside over a system in which profitable wanted pubs are demolished and in which supermarkets are built on the site against the wishes of local communities?

Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford Portrait Nicola Blackwood
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The hon. Gentleman plays a very important role as chair of the all-party save the pub group and has been a dogged campaigner for the pub. We are very clear that social drinking is not the target of these low-risk guidelines. I am happy to meet and discuss this issue with my DCLG colleagues.