Published: Friday, 27th November, 2009 4:20pm

Ingram condemns Labour on alcohol decision

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Commenting on opposition to minimum pricing proposals, SNP MSP Adam Ingram said: "It is simply inexcusable that opponents have chosen not even to listen to the evidence around minimum pricing during the Bill process.

"Labour are putting party politics before public health in Scotland. In 2008 alcohol-related death rates in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran area, as percentage of the overall UK average rate, were 194%.

"Labour have dismissed out of hand the advice of all four UK Chief Medical Officers, the British Medical Association, the Royal Colleges of Nursing, Physicians, Surgeons and GPs, Faculty of Public Health, British Liver Trust, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and many others at the sharp end of dealing with alcohol misuse.

"While we have never said minimum pricing is a 'silver bullet', all the expert opinion agrees that is can have a major impact as part of our wider package of measures. By contrast, our opponents have failed to put forward any constructive alternatives."