Hewitt should investigate supermarkets

MP John Grogan has urged Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to investigate the effect of cheap supermarket booze on binge-drinking.

The chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group believes that a robust code covering off-trade promotions must be implemented sooner rather than later.

So far, 41 MPs have signed Grogan's Early Day Motion, which decries supermarkets for "exacerbating the problem of binge-drinking" and calling for an end to "irresponsible promotions".

We need support from senior politicians. Not one politician has stood up against the supermarkets ye​ MP John Grogan

Now he wants senior politicians to take up the cause.

He believes that the off-trade must take a large portion of the blame for the reported rise in alcohol-related crime on New Year's Eve.

"All the evidence would suggest that a large number of people drink a lot before they even arrive at pubs. Hopefully we can get the health minister to look into this issue.​

"We need support from senior politicians. Not one politician has stood up against the supermarkets yet."

Grogan believes the four big players - Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons - are already sweating it out in fear of the current Competition Commission inquiry into supermarket buying power and pressure must be sustained.

"A few years ago it was ingrained in British life that there would be a line of pubs and clubs enticing people in with promotions such as a £10 all-you-can drink offer.​

"This is now very much on the fringe, but supermarkets have continued to ignore the issue of a robust code on promotions."

Meanwhile, the lobbying group Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems has voiced its support for an end to supermarket promotions.

Its six-week study revealed that 77 people a day were being treated in hospital for alcohol-related assaults.

Why not write to your local MP to sign Early Day Motion number 495 and support the campaign?