DELIGHTED THAT GOVERNMENT BACKING MY CALL FOR SMALLER WINE GLASS SIZES - MULHOLLAND

3.20.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Jul 2008

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, has written to the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to welcome the news that the Government is to take up his proposal that pubs and bars should offer smaller wine glasses alongside larger measures.

Mr Mulholland introduced a Private Member's Bill in the House of Commons in January calling for the measure, which would require all on-trade' licensed premises to offer a 125ml measure, as well as the larger 175ml and 250ml sizes. The Bill had the support of MPs from across the House, as well as organisations such as Tacade and Alcohol Concern.

The Government is poised to introduce this measure in the autumn as part of plans to tackle problem drinking.

Commenting Greg said:

"I am delighted that the Government has shown sense, and backed the proposals that I outlined in my Bill.

"In the last few years there has been a clear move to 'trade up' wine glass measures and phase out smaller glass sizes, the result being that often drinkers do not know how many units of alcohol they are consuming.

"Requiring pubs and bars to sell smaller wine glasses, as well as the larger sizes, would increase consumer choice at the same time as being a simple and effective method of increasing alcohol awareness and encouraging responsible drinking, and I am very pleased that the Government has recognised this."