Simon Hart
Main Page: Simon Hart (Conservative - Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire)Alcohol Advertising Regulations
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Alun Cairns
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for making that valid point. No, I am absolutely not proposing a repeal of the legislation and regulations, but there has been a reduction in the consumption of alcohol in recent years and advertising needs to reflect that. I shall come on to that point a little later.
Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) (Con)
What is my hon. Friend’s view of Top Totty, the beer that was banned in the House of Commons earlier this year?
Alun Cairns
As someone who consumed Top Totty that evening, I remember the beverage and the fuss made about its title. I understand that the attention drove the sales of Top Totty much higher than was ever predicted, which only demonstrates that such controversial decisions work against the objectives of those who wish to tighten the restrictions.
You may remember, Mr Dobbin, that before those helpful interventions I was trying to take you and hon. Members through some of the great adverts we remember from yesteryear. The Hofmeister bear is another example. Everyone was encouraged to “follow the bear”. Who could forget the Guinness toucan or the Carling Black Label series? “The Dam Busters” goalkeeper was one of my favourites.