National Drinkwise Day (Hansard, 16 June 1989)

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are providing wholehearted support for national drinkwise day. My right honourable friend the Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, who chairs the ministerial group on alcohol misuse, is to launch the event nationally on 20th June. Most of the departmental Ministers represented on the group plan to participate in various local drinkwise events on or around 20th June.

The Viscount of Falkland
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that encouraging reply. I am sure that all noble Lords will agree that the Government are now making an effort to help with the problems of alcohol abuse. Will he say something about low-alcohol or alcohol-free beers? There seems to be some confusion in the minds of the public about where low-alcohol beers can be bought. There is a complex legal position as regards the drinking of low-alcohol beers. Will he explain that point in simple terms?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, I am not sure that I can explain it in simple terms. There is a legal anomaly which was discussed last year on an amendment moved by my noble friend Lord Lucas. Existing legislation defines intoxicating liquor—that is, that which needs to be sold with a licence—in terms of the highest level of alcohol that was ever in the liquor. Some low-alcohol beers are brewed up and then the alcohol is removed; some are always brewed below the 1.2 per cent., which is the level for intoxicating liquor. Therefore, some low-alcohol beers can be sold in unlicensed premises and some cannot. I hope that that reply is helpful.

§ Lord Gainford
My Lords, will my noble friend tell us what is meant by drinkwise day which is in the minds of a number of people? Is it suggested that Tuesday, 20th June, the first day of Royal Ascot, should be a day that is dry?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, drinkwise day is not about going completely dry. I hope that I shall be able to attend part of the Royal Ascot meeting. The day is about promoting sensible drinking nationwide. It is a chance for the public to look at their drinking habits, consider healthy drinking choices and be a better judge of their alcohol consumption. Looking and feeling fitter, being in control and enjoying life through sensible drinking lie at the heart of the campaign.

§ Lord Ennals
My Lords, perhaps I may say how much we appreciate the Government's, active role in connection with the campaign and Alcohol Concern. Bearing in mind what seems to be a national problem, demonstrated by all types of drink-related violence—I am also thinking about the next debate and about what sometimes goes on at football grounds—committed by young people, has any research been done into why young people seem to think that there is something "macho" about getting drunk?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, I am not sure that I can help the noble Lord on that wider philosophical question. It is something that has been considered by my colleagues who are members of the ministerial group on alcohol misuse. I shall ensure that a copy of its first annual report is placed in the Library. If the noble Lord cares to examine it he will find a long list of actions that the ministerial group propose should be taken to deal with the problem.

The Viscount of Falkland
My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that for those who, for some reason or another, wish to take a soft drink or a mineral water, some of the prices charged in public houses or restaurants are frankly ludicrous? I do not know whether the noble Lord is aware that in London one can be charged as much as £5 in a restaurant for a bottle of mineral water. Can the Government bring some pressure to bear so that we can get some sense in that area?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, that is rather wide of the Question; but I accept that £5 seems to be rather a lot of money. I suggest that the noble Viscount tries another restaurant where he might find it cheaper.