Scots ditch measures plan

The Scottish Government has abandoned plans to force pubs to serve wine in 125ml servings.

The measure was due to be included in the Scottish Government's controversial new Alcohol Bill, but was left out due to concerns over its legality, said trade chief Patrick Browne.

Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), said the requirement for smaller servings was abandoned due to concerns over whether it fits with weight and measures legislation.

However, pubs and shops in Scotland could be forced to ask for ID if a customer appears to be under 21, or an even older age limit.

A compulsory age verification policy, which means steps must be taken to establish a customer's age if they appear to be under 21, is one of the least publicised proposals in the new Bill.

Local licensing boards would be able to insist that age-check procedures are used, even with customers who look older than 21.

Browne said the change "wouldn't mean a great deal of difference" as most operators already had similar age-check policies.

"It's an extra piece of red tape that we don't think is necessary," he said.

Browne added: "This latest Bill will not be welcomed by most licensees as it proposes even more changes to Scotland's licensing laws before all of the current provisions [from the new Licensing Act, implemented on 1 September] have been fully enacted, let alone allowed to settle in."

But he said it would help "re-balance the current unlevel playing field between on and off-sales retailers".

Minimum pricing "dead in the water"

Scotland's plans to implement minimum pricing are "dead in the water", said SBPA chief Patrick Browne.

The Alcohol Bill re-introduces the minimum pricing plan, but Browne said neither Labour nor the Tories support it, and there's only a "very distant possibility" that the Liberal Democrats will back the measure.

The Bill sees the ruling Scottish National Party re-introduce plans for a social responsibility fee for operators, give local licensing boards the power to restrict off-sales to under-21s, and curb off-trade promotions such as three-for-two deals.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The Bill is a once-in-a-generation chance to turn around Scotland's drink problems."