§ Baroness Gould of Potternewtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to publish the Government's consultation document on a national alcohol harm reduction strategy. [HL5993]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonIt has always been the Government's intention to undertake an extensive process of consultation with stakeholders and relevant groups as part of the development of a national alcohol harm reduction strategy. Yesterday, jointly with my honourable friend Hazel Blears, we published a consultation documentNational Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy: Consultation Document setting 65WA out the areas on which the Govenment would welcome views. Copies of this have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The consultation period will run until 15 January and responses are sought directly to the Strategy Unit and Department of Health. We will also be holding a series of joint consultation events to seek the views of a range of stakeholders, including local authorities, police, crime and disorder reduction partnershps (CDRPs), NHS/ medical services (eg PCTs), education (schools sector), academics (university sector), voluntary sector, non-government organisations, the alcohol industry, users of treatment services and employers. Once the consultation period has closed the Strategy Unit will produce an interim analysis taking account of responses received.