MSPs HAVE overwhelmingly thrown out controversial plans to outlaw under 21s from buying alcohol in off-licences, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

By 72 votes to 47 they rejected a Scottish Government proposal that would allow 18 to 21-year-olds to drink in pubs, but not purchase alcohol in a shop or supermarket.

Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems oppose the plan.

Although the decision is not binding on ministers, it sends a clear message that the idea is not going to get through parliament and is effectively dead in the water.

But despite the defeat, ministers said they intend to press on with the plan which is expected to feature in a future wide-ranging justice bill.

A source close to the First Minister said, “Ministers are very confident about the merits of this proposal.”

The issue dominated proceedings at Holyrood yesterday both in a Tory-sponsored debate and at Question Time where Labour leader Iain Gray described the plan as “daft” and repeatedly urged First Minster Alex Salmond to dump it.

He pointed out that under the plan an 18-year-old would be able to work in or run an off- licence but would not be able to buy drink there.

His party, he said, wanted a mandatory proof-of-age scheme, tougher action against those buying drink for under 18s, and for those selling drink to under 18s to lose their licences.

“We want strong enforcement of the existing legislation,” he said.

“The problem is, that debate is being drowned out by this idea that no one wants.

“Will the First Minister drop an idea no one agrees on so we can start to explore actions we can all get behind?”

Mr Salmond pointed to Labour’s record in office.

“It’s all very well saying he now wants enforcement of current legislation, and current legislation is now being enforced,” he said.

“The question I would have for the Labour Party leader is, what were they doing in 10 years in office that allowed the problem to reach the scale it has?”

Earlier in a debate on the subject Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser branded proposals to increase the age for buying alcohol in supermarkets and off-sales as “ludicrous.”

“The SNP are creating a ludicrous situation whereby students cannot buy a bottle of wine or a few cans of beer to enjoy in the hall of residence or flat,” said the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP.

“They are creating an even more ludicrous situation whereby a soldier returning from a tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan at the age of 20 cannot buy a bottle of champagne from the off-licence to celebrate with his wife on his return.”

Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker branded the plans a “political gimmick” and called for better use of existing laws to tackle alcohol misuse.

“We all accept Scotland has got a cultural problem with alcohol consumption,” he said.

“We know the toll it takes on our health, on crime, on our communities.

“That is why the Scottish Government are culpable in placing at the heart of this debate such a flawed policy.”

Lib Dem health spokesman Ross Finnie said, “The proposal is fatally flawed. Not just because of that, but because we believe it fails fundamentally to contribute to bringing about the essential cultural change in attitudes towards sensible drinking.

“If we’re going to get the next generation actively to play its part in that essential cultural change, then that next generation has to been seen as part of the solution, not part of the problem.

“By stigmatising a generation we run the risk of alienating that generation instead of harnessing their energies and idealism to effect that change.”

But justice secretary Kenny MacAskill vigorously defended the plans warning MSPs that with Scotland’s drink problem costing £2.25 billion a year, “We can not go on as we are.”

He said 40,000 people a year had to be treated in hospital for an alcohol- related illness, adding Scotland had one of the fastest growing growing rates of drink-related liver disease and cirrhosis in the world.

“We do need legislative change, because the status quo is unacceptable. We cannot go on as we are,” he said.

“That’s why we need a serious debate, with serious suggestions from serious people.

“The difference between us and the other parties is we recognise the scale of the problem and are willing to try new approaches to tackle it.

“We won’t sit back and watch the problems that have arisen.”

Mr MacAskill said pilot bans on selling alcohol to under 21s in Cupar, Armadale and Stenhousemuir had worked.

“It’s easy to dismiss the age 21 discussion out of hand, but where it’s been tried locally the results have been positive,” he said,

“The police and the communities have both been very grateful for the successful outcomes that there have been.”