Jeremy Beadles comment June

The burst of musical chairs at the departments of state last week added a bit of excitement to a rainy summer. As Gordon Brown shuffled for his life last Friday, the trade got three new but familiar faces at the departments that deal with alcohol policy, as former Ministers for culture and health took the top jobs for health, licensing and the home office. 

Away from the drama at Downing Street, there are a number of new developments with the mandatory code for alcohol retail. A consultation has now been released that contains actual proposals for the code's conditions. As the Policing and Crime Bill is being considered in the Lords, Peers will have the chance to consider the legislation alongside detail of what the Government actually wants to use it for.

The Lords stages of the legislative process are generally seen as when the serious, detail driven scrutiny is carried out. This is just as well as the report stage of the Bill was over in six hours in the House of Commons. For a measure that will affect every licensee in the land, this isn't good enough.

The Lords have committed to take a long hard look at the code. They may find their work cut out. The Code has been batted between departments and it is far from clear what some of it intends to tackle. After Number 10's sudden concern about being seen to penalise responsible drinkers, the Government has proposed to allow local authorities to restrict certain price promotions instead of doing it on a national level.

However, the fudge being offered is so illogical the policy could mean huge differences in pricing and promotion from shop to shop and town to town, even at different times of the week. It will be a nightmare for businesses, an annoyance for consumers and problem drinkers will just make the journey to the nearest unaffected store.

It is important the industry's voice is heard. Thousands of doctors and nurses are being asked their views on how the industry should be further regulated so please send the Government a message by going on-line and responding to the consultation. 

By Jeremy Beadles, chief executive, Wine & Spirit Trade Association

• Harpers Says...