Lords to question BIS, NHS and DOH officials on EU Alcohol Strategy

• Parliament TV: Watch the evidence session
• Inquiry: EU Alcohol Strategy
• EU Sub-Committee on Home Affairs, Health and Education

Witnesses

Wednesday 22 October, Committee Room 3A, Palace of Westminster

At 10.45am

• Crispin Acton, Programme Manager, Alcohol Misuse, Department of Health
• Lindsay Wilkinson, Deputy Director, Drug & Alcohol Policy, Department of Health
• Sarah Godman, NHS Confederation office in Brussels
• Susannah Simon, Director, European Reform Directorate, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Likely questions:

• What are the key achievements of the EU Alcohol Strategy 2006-2012 from a public health perspective
• Does the Government believe that there should be a new EU Alcohol Strategy? Should more emphasis be placed on a "Health in All Policies" mainstream approach?
• What would the added value of a new EU Alcohol Strategy be, as opposed to national strategies and/or the World Health Organisation framework? Are any of the WHO principles particularly relevant to the EU context? In what ways should an EU Strategy differ from the WHO framework?
• Should indicators be established to monitor the success of a new strategy?
• What is the impact of alcohol misuse on crime?
• Is EU funding allocated to research on alcohol related harm sufficient and proportionate to the scale of the problem and to funding for other areas of research?
• Are EU policies underpinned by a sound scientific base?
• Are EU rules on taxation appropriate and effective?
• What are the potential effects of measures such as minimum pricing and bans on the below cost sale of alcohol on the illicit alcohol trade?
• What role should the alcohol industry play in the development and implementation of a new EU strategy?

Further information

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch Committees