Alcohol Bill officially bites the dust

John LeeTHE members bill brought forward by Labour Scottish Parliamentary health spokesman Dr Richard Simpson has officially fallen after MSPs in a full sitting refused to back its progress to stage two of the legislative process.
The writing had been on the wall for the bill since it failed to gain the support of either the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliament’s health committee.
The Scottish Grocers Federation had argued that key provisions of the bill including a national container marking scheme, and restrictions on alcohol and caffeine drinks and alcohol promotions were either unworkable or duplicated existing legislation.
SGF head of policy and public affairs John Lee said: “We need a simplified licensing system not more regulation.”