§ 17. Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek powers to prohibit the sale of the product shandy from non-licensed retail shops.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithMy right hon. Friend proposes to await the Clayson Report before considering possible changes in the licensing laws.
§ Mr. StewartIn view of the delay in production of the Clayson Report, will the Minister take action in the meantime to prevent the sale of this product containing alcohol, however minimal, by retail shops?
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe use of the beverage might help any speechlessness that there might be in the House. It is not fair to say that there are any real delays over the report. It is a big subject which arouses a lot of controversy in Scotland and the committee has not been sitting for an undue time. We expect to receive the report shortly. As for the beverage, we have certainly received no representations about it and I am not aware that it does any particular harm.