Before the Government announced its policy 85MP's supported Donald Anderson's Early Day Motion to ban alcopops and introduce statutory controls.
The motion stated:
'That this House congratulates Her Majesty's Government on its prompt response to the revelations about alcopops and other designer drinks; recognises that belated attempts at self-regulation by the alcohol industry have failed; and calls upon the Government to protect children and young people by a ban or the most stringent statutory controls on these products.'
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..one third of MEPs call for action
Two hundred and one members of the European Parliament signed Eryl McNally's declaration on alcopops. The declaration called for European-wide guidelines on their promotion, marketing and retailing. If producers failed to enforce control, then member states should enact statutory measures. Alcopops should be taxed at the spirits rate. MEPs from all fifteen Member States supported the declaration. Of the 87 British MEPs, 66 signed up - 58 Labour; 3 Conservative; 2SNP; 1 Lib Dem; 1 UUP; and 1DUP