Alcohol: Minimum Pricing Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Home Office

Alcohol: Minimum Pricing

Lord Walton of Detchant Excerpts
Thursday 14th March 2013

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Walton of Detchant Portrait Lord Walton of Detchant
- Hansard - -

My Lords, can the Minister say whether the Government give higher priority to the health of the nation, particularly to those young people who are so much addicted to binge drinking, or to the profitability of the UK drinks industry?

Lord Taylor of Holbeach Portrait Lord Taylor of Holbeach
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I think the noble Lord would admit that that is a rather loaded question. However, I am prepared to answer it because of course health considerations are extremely important. There are huge economic costs, as well as the social costs, in the excessive consumption of alcohol. That is clear. What might well divide the House in debate would not be that issue but the question of what is the most effective way of dealing with it.