News
Sunset clause for minimum pricing
02/05/2012
New laws to bring in minimum pricing will be dropped after six years if they fail to work. The Scottish Government has agreed to a 'sunset clause' in the planned legislation, under a deal to win Conservative support. All the main parties, with the exception of Labour, now support the introduction of the measure.
Speaking at Holyrood's health committee, which was considering the latest changes to the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said: "The sunset clause is a response to concerns from some members that minimum pricing hasn't been tested elsewhere. I think that this is a perfectly reasonable and legitimate position to take."
The bill still faces a final vote in Parliament before being passed, with Ministers still to state what the minimum price should be set at.
Speaking at Holyrood's health committee, which was considering the latest changes to the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said: "The sunset clause is a response to concerns from some members that minimum pricing hasn't been tested elsewhere. I think that this is a perfectly reasonable and legitimate position to take."
The bill still faces a final vote in Parliament before being passed, with Ministers still to state what the minimum price should be set at.