SNP continues to back minimum pricing
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has signalled its continued backing for minimum alcohol pricing as it indicated that there was "growing support" in the drinks industry for the scheme.
In its election manifesto, the SNP said: "There is growing support, not only among health professionals and the police, but now also among the drinks industry including leading manufacturers and the licensed trade."
The party said that it wanted to target "the cheap alcohol that fuels so much of the anti-social behaviour and violence on our streets".
Last week the SNP came under pressure to set a minimum, price following concerns from MSPs over a lack of information in the Scottish Government's Alcohol Bill.
Holyrood's Health Committee said that the legality of the Bill could only be determined once a minimum price had been set.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon: "Setting the minimum price is something that has to be done properly and carefully and we'll do that in due course. We're not at the stage where we can set the minimum price."
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