Health: Alcohol

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Thursday 12th May 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, I commend the Minister on his courtesy in answering Questions in your Lordships’ House. Perhaps one or two of his colleagues might learn from that example. The logic of the Chief Medical Officer’s position is that essentially all alcohol is harmful. Is that the position of the Government?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

Thinking very quickly, my Lords, our position is that alcohol is not safe but it is low risk depending on how you drink. It is a low-risk activity at a level of about 14 units spread evenly across the week. I am sure that the noble Lord will adhere strictly to that guideline.