HC Deb 11 June 1980 vol 986 cc538-9
7. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation requiring manufacturers to place health warning notices on the containers of all alcoholic products on sale to the general public in Scotland ; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Russell Fairgrieve)

Alcohol presents a health risk only if misused ; I therefore do not consider that it would be appropriate to have a health warning on containers of all alcoholic products.

Mr. Dempsey

Has the Minister noticed that competent authorities judge that alcohol is Scotland's second biggest killer? Does he accept that drinkers of alcohol indicate that such consumption may result in irreversible brain damage, cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, violence, suicides, malnutrition and in disastrous consequences for the home? Does he think that he should do something to warn such people about the dangers of drink abuse, just as smokers are warned about the dangers of smoking?

Mr. Fairgrieve

I accept a lot of what my hon. Friend has said. The Government are not complacent. We acknowledge that during the past 20 years there has been an appreciable increase in the number of alcoholics in Scotland. Although that trend is not peculiar to Scotland, it remains very disturbing. The vast majority drink sensibly, and only the minority abuse alcohol. As the hon. Gentleman may know, the Government have taken action in Scotland. I recently attended the inaugural course of the alcohol study centre at Paisley, which is financially supported by the Government. We shall continue our campaign of health education on this vital subject.

Mr. Bill Walker

I am relieved that I do not suffer from any of the problems related to drink. Is my hon. Friend aware that a conference on alcohol education was held in October 1979 at Pitlochry? Is he further aware that that conference was sponsored by the Scotch whisky industry? Should we not go down that avenue and bring education to the notice of individuals at the right age?

Mr. Fairgrieve

I compliment my hon. Friend on his well-known abstemious habits. He certainly will not suffer from any of the complaints mentioned by the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey). I had the pleasure of attending that course at Pitlochry. I shall reiterate my previous reply. We are making every effort to extend education. This year we shall spend a considerable amount of money on health education in this sphere.

Mr. Buchan

In view of last year's events in Scotland, would it not be a great advantage to have a major poster campaign that simply said "Younger, Fletcher, Fairgrieve and Rifkind are bad for you"?

Mr. Fairgrieve

It is always wrong to poster inaccurate information.

Mr. John MacKay

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that the Government do not intend to reduce from 18 to 16 the age at which youngsters can go into a pub to order a drink? Will he give an assurance that the Government have no intention of falling for such legislation?

Mr. Fairgrieve

Yes, I give that assurance.