SNP to take action against promotions

Scotland's new Scottish National Party government aims to take early action to curb deep discounted off trade drink promotions.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill - who said he was appalled by drink offers he'd seen in his own neighbourhood - said it was no longer acceptable to treat alcohol "like bananas or soap powder" and vowed to tackle promotions he considers irresponsible.

He complained that in one store beer was being sold in a deal which worked out at 43p per pint.

And he is now understood to be analysing how to prevent stores selling drink in multipack and buy one get one free offers.

In the run-up to the recent Scottish Parliament elections Mr McAskill consulted a leading licensing lawyer over the practicalities of enforcing what he sees as responsible practice.

But since last month's wafer-thin SNP victory he has so far stopped short of seeking to introduce a general minimum pricing policy. Some lawyers argue very low prices could be considered "irresponsible" in terms of licensing legislation.

However Scottish Beer & Pub Association chief executive Patrick Browne says minimum pricing was judged unlawful when attempted some years ago by Aberdeen licensing board.

He said:: "It is difficult to see how licensing boards could use the new Licensing Act to introduce minimum prices when this was never the intention of the Scottish Parliament when it passed the legislation."

The Scottish Grocers Federation, meanwhile, wants to see a ban on below-cost selling, rather than discounting, and argues there should be a national proof of age card.