Booze-free zones to be marked out in the Commons to help curb the drinking culture
BOOZE-FREE zones will be marked out in the Commons to help curb the drinking culture, we can reveal.
Strict new controls on drinking within the Westminster estate will be rolled out after agreement among senior MPs.
The powerful House of Commons Commission will implement “alcohol-free” areas which should be “encouraged and expanded”.
There will also be a marked rise in the range of non-alcoholic drinks and lower strength beers for sale.
The restrictions follow Commons Speaker John Bercow allegedly demanding a prohibition-style drink ban during the day.
The move comes just over a year since the so-called Pestminster scandal that led to the resignation of Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. He stood accused of “lunging” at a female journalist and kissing her on the lips after a boozy lunch.
It also follows the Dame Laura Cox report into bullying and harassment culture on the Parliamentary estate.
Abuse of staff may have been made worse by the “ready access” to alcohol across bars and restaurants on the premises.
In her report, Dame Laura said: “The steps taken so far to restrict access to alcohol during working hours may need to be revisited.”
Changes to the availability of alcohol will also include adverts promoting alcohol in bars will be banned.
MPs and staff will also be contacted asking them to “refrain” from drinking in their offices after bars on the estate have shut.
Labour MP Jess Phillips last night said: “This is a step in the right direction. Parliament is a place of work and not a cruise ship."
“However, unless the culture of power and political friendships mattering more than anything, these measures will be window dressing.”
A spokesperson for the House of Commons Commission: “The House of Commons Commission has agreed a number of actions to promote responsible alcohol consumption.
Neat Scotch deal
SCOTCH whisky exports could be boosted if the UK joins a Pacific trade agreement after Brexit, says Liam Fox.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership starting today ends tariffs on 95 per cent of goods traded between states. It covers 11 countries including Japan, Australia, Canada and Malaysia.
Our total trade with the zone last year was worth £95billion.
International Trade Secretary Dr Fox said: “The Scotch whisky industry supports more than 40,000 UK jobs.”
“These include increasing the range of non-alcoholic drinks and lower strength beers available, training and supporting staff to refuse to serve customers when necessary, expanding and encouraging alcohol-free areas, discouraging Members and staff from drinking in offices after bars are shut, and not running promotional advertisements.
“Bullying and harassment have no place in the House of Commons. We recognise the impact of bullying and harassment described in the Dame Laura Cox report and will continue to work closely with staff, unions and Workplace Equality Networks to address these issues.”
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