MP John Grogan has urged the Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to investigate the effect of cheap supermarket booze on binge drinking, reports the Morning Advertiser.

The chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group told the pub trade title that a robust code covering off-trade promotions must be implemented sooner rather than later.

“We need support from senior politicians. Not one politician has stood up against the supermarkets yet,” he told the Advertiser.

Last month Grogan launched an early day motion (EDM) in the House of Commons attacking the price of alcohol sold through the off trade. It currently has 41 signatories.

In the EDM he said: “This House believes that the substantial price differential between alcohol sold in pubs and that sold in the off-trade is exacerbating the problem of binge drinking.”

Grogan has urged supermarkets to follow the example set by the pub trade in outlawing irresponsible price promotions - which encourage binge drinking - and to end the practice of offering drinks promotions in store as loss-leaders to attract customers.

Pubs continue to see alcohol sales slide to supermarkets >>

By Chris Druce

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