§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
With regard to the draft analytical report on alcohol of the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit advisory group, why none of the academic or expert advisers was consulted about the deletion from the report of certain paragraphs which (a) dealt with price and availability as the two main supply-side levers which can be used to influence alcohol use and misuse and (b) cited research indicating that relaxing availability causes increased harm. [HL147]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe sponsor Minister, my honourable friend Hazel Blears MP, wrote to the noble Lord on 22 October 2003 to answer his previous questions on this issue. As my honourable friend then explained, the draft analytical paper was circulated to key stakeholders on a personal basis. The purpose of that process was to enable us to draw on expert advice and reflect this in the final report. This enabled us to present the best possible analysis. We have invited further views on the interim analytical report and would welcome the noble Lord's comments on the published version.