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Everyone involved in the sale of alcohol has a social responsibility to minimise the risks involved, according to Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead.

Mr Lochhead was speaking at a meeting of the Moray Licensing Forum on Monday, called to discuss the issues around the control of licensing of alcohol sales in Moray.

The meeting, organised by the Forum and chaired by Linda Davidson, also discussed the impact of alcohol abuse on Moray’s communities.

Speaking after the meeting, which was also attended by Councillors on Moray’s Licensing Board, Mr Lochhead said: “I was delighted to accept the Licensing Forum’s invitation to be a guest speaker and welcome their engagement at a time when alcohol control issues are very high on the Government and Scottish Parliament’s agenda.

“Forum members were broadly supportive of the Government’s efforts to tackle problem drinkers in an effort to reduce excessive consumption of alcohol and the major problems this causes for our wider society.

“Many of the concerns raised related to the sale of cheap booze by large supermarkets and the fact that it is not the supermarkets having to deal with the problems caused by excessive drinking.

“There is clearly a social responsibility for everyone involved in the sale of alcohol.”

The Scottish Government minister added that the responsibility was with those involved in off-sales or those in bars and restaurants where alcohol is available. He added: “We are committed to bringing forward minimum pricing for alcohol, which is supported by a whole range of public health officials, the police and the licensed trade.

“We also want to instil a greater sense of responsibility among both adults and children.

“Parents of underage drinkers must take greater responsibility for the children’s behaviour, and adults out of an evening must also take greater responsibility for their own behaviour.

“It is only by a range of measures, including minimum pricing, that we can properly tackle Scotland’s problem relationship with alcohol.”