Smaller wine glass bid 'backed'

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An MP is dropping his bid to force bars and restaurants to sell wine in smaller glasses, as he says ministers have indicated they will back the plans.

It follows newspaper reports that a code for the drinks industry to curb drunkenness would include ensuring wine was served in marked measures.

Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland's bill aimed to make all bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants offer the 125ml measure.

It was due to be debated in the Commons on Friday, but has now been withdrawn.

Mr Mulholland's bill would have amended weights and measures legislation.

I think it's a very simply, very cheap thing that could be done because you don't need new wine glasses - you simply need new measures. Greg Mulholland

He said many bars and pubs had phased out the smaller measures in favour of 175ml and 250ml glasses and argued people did not know how many alcohol units they were drinking.

But on Thursday he said he would withdraw his private members' bill - which would not have succeeded without government backing - as the government had indicated that the proposal would be adopted and "effectively backed my bill".

"There were very strong indications and very specific reference to introducing exactly what I was talking about," he told the BBC.

"I believe that it will happen, I think it's a very simply, very cheap thing that could be done because you don't need new wine glasses - you simply need new measures.

"It could encourage people to be more aware of how much they are drinking as well as providing greater consumer choice."

A Home Office spokesman said ministers had indicated the "social responsibility standards", the alcohol industry's voluntary code on the marketing and selling of drinks, was not working as effectively as it should and had asked auditors KPMG to report on it.

The report noted that the smaller, 125ml wine glass, had been replaced and "in many cases" the 250ml glass - equivalent to a third of a standard bottle of wine- had become "the new standard default".

"Some venues refused to sell the traditional small 125ml glass of wine or were unable to because they did not have that size of wine glass," the report noted.

The government has since been consulting on that report and other aspects of its alcohol strategy and considering whether a mandatory code is needed.

But the spokesman would not confirm that ensuring 125ml measures were served would be in the government's response.