§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What response they have made to the observations of Mr Paul Evans, Head of the Police Standards Unit, that crime and disorder in the form of violence outside pubs and clubs threaten to overwhelm the police. [HL126]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Government continue to implement their Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England and are working closely with the police service to support it in tackling alcohol related crime and disorder. The Government also support other agencies to ensure that a partnership approach is taken locally, with the police, to tackle the harm caused by alcohol, and are working with the industry on a social responsibility scheme. The Government have also put in place legislation to strengthen enforcement work by the police and its partners and have put in place conditions relating to the prevention of crime and disorder in the Licensing Act 2003.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the view expressed by the Nottinghamshire Chief Constable and other senior police officers, that the level of alcohol is related to the level of crime and disorder, and alcohol consumption levels have diverted police resources from outlying areas of towns and cities. [HL127]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Government recognise that there is a link between the irresponsible sale and consumption of alcohol and crime and disorder. We are working closely with the police service to ensure that they have access to the tactics and knowledge that they need to tackle alcohol related violence and anti social behaviour. The lessons learned from the summer Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign have been captured and disseminated to all basic command units and crime and disorder reduction partnerships. However, the deployment of officers is an operational decision for chief officers and will be determined by an intelligence-led assessment of local requirements.
The Government also acknowledge that enforcement is not the only answer, and that a more holistic approach to tackling the misuse of alcohol is neeeded if we are to challenge current attitudes to drinking. That is why we launched the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England on 15 March 2004 which outlines a programme of work based on 41 recommendations covering actions on prevention, communication, education and identification and treatment to tackle alcohol misuse and ensure that both consumers and retailers have a healthy and responsible attitude to alcohol.
§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures, other than public information, they are taking to combat harmful drinking; and whether they will advise government departments and other public authorities to set an example by offering no alcohol at lunch-time entertainments. [HL129]
127WA
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)On 15 March 2004 the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit publishedThe Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, which contains 41 recommendations. Each recommendation includes a date for action to be completed. The Home Office and the Department of Health, in partnership with other stakeholders, are working together to deliver those recommendations in the strategy.
In addition, the White Paper Choosing Health published on 16 November 2004 highlighted that the Government will build on commitments within the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England through:
- guidance and training to ensure all health professionals are able to identify alcohol problems early;
- piloting approaches to targeted screening and brief interventions in both primary care and hospital settings, including accident and emergency departments;
- similar initiatives in criminal justice settings with the aim of reducing repeat offending;
- developing a programme for improvement for alcohol treatment services based on the findings of an audit of demand for and provision of alcohol treatment in England and the models of care framework for alcohol treatment.
There is a 'no-drinking policy on Department of Health premises unless special permission is sought. It is for other government departments to set their own policies in this area.
§ Lord Chadlingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the proposed timetable for the implementation of the National Alcohol Strategy; and [HL398]
What evaluation of the National Alcohol Strategy they propose to carry out; and [HL399]
Which government Ministers and government agencies are accountable for the National Alcohol Strategy. [HL400]
§ Lord WarnerThe Department of Health and the Home Office are the lead government departments for the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England and are therefore accountable for it. There are 41 recommendations within the strategy, each recommendation includes a date when action should be completed. We will take stock in 2007.