Smarter alcohol policy to save pubs - Burstow

9.58.00am GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, this week asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham MP, what the Government were doing to prevent more pubs going out of business because of supermarkets selling cheap alcohol.

Mr Burstow put his question to the Minister during Monday's topical questions, which are a chance to press a particular Minister on an issue of the MP's choice. With 39 pubs a week currently closing their doors coupled with the problems associated with the availability of cheap alcohol, Mr Burstow called on the Government to improve the regulation and taxation of alcohol.

Over Christmas Mr Burstow broke a national news story about the rocketing rates of liver disease, especially amongst young people, which suggest there are serious health and social costs being stored up for the future.

Mr Burstow commented:

'If we do not have smarter regulation and taxation of alcohol we will see yet more pubs close their doors and communities will continue to lose these key local business and social venues week on week.

'While no one wants to encourage binge drinking, I think it is possible to strike a balance between discouraging the supermarkets from selling alcohol at pocket money prices and promoting responsible drinking in local pubs. This would not only be good news for publicans but also for the health of drinkers and the wider community.

'I'm pleased that the Minister said he would meet me and I hope to go into more detail about my concerns which echo those of many of my constituents.'

For the full text of Mr Burstow's question go to: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090119/debtext/90119-0003.htm