Pricing plan

Peter Rice, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, asks for those opposed to the SNP's flawed policy of minimum pricing of alcohol to state what alternative pricing mechanism they would prefer (Letters, 24 June).

Had he been listening to the Budget speech on Thursday, he would have heard the Chancellor George Osborne say: "We will report back in the autumn on the scope for targeting alcohol duty at the products most associated with binge drinking and underage consumption."

This pledge is coupled with a commitment by the coalition government to legislate to outlaw sales of alcohol below cost price.

This approach is greatly preferable to minimum pricing, which would penalise responsible drinkers, is of dubious legality and would do serious damage to the vital Scotch Whisky Industry. Moreover, increasing prices through duty increases government revenues to help fund health and justice programmes, unlike minimum pricing which simply enriches supermarkets and retailers still further.

I am sure that fair-minded individuals like Dr Rice will welcome these targeted proposals to tackle the scourge of excess alcohol consumption in our society.

MURDO FRASER MSP

Scottish Conservative Spokesman on Health

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh