MSPs at Holyrood are to be told at what level the Scottish Government intends to set the minimum price for alcohol but only during the Parliamentary passage of the legislation.
The Scottish Government has made clear that it will not set the minimum price when it publishes its Bill on Alcohol Misuse on Thursday. However, sources have emphasised that MSPs will be told as the legislation makes its way through Parliament.
The reason for the change of mind by ministers is a technical one. The sources say that if the minimum price level was on the face of this week’s Bill, any future change to the level would have to be subject to further primary legislation. In effect, this means that minimum pricing will be established in the Bill as a principle but the specific level will be covered in future by “enabling” or secondary legislation. . . . . .
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