THE DRAFT DEREGULATION (METHYLATED SPIRITS
SALE BY RETAIL) (SCOTLAND) ORDER 1998
1. On 18 May 1998, the Government laid before Parliament
the draft Deregulation (Methylated Spirits Sale by Retail) (Scotland)
Order 1998, together with a Statement from the Scottish Office[1].
We have already reported on the Government's original proposals
for this draft Order[2].
The draft Order would remove three requirements relating to the
sale of methylated and surgical spirits in Scotland.
2. Under the Methylated Spirits (Sale by Retail)
(Scotland) Act 1937 ("the 1937 Act"), retailers of methylated
and surgical spirits are required to register with their local
authority, record all sales of such spirits, and label all bottles
with the name and premises of the retailer together with the words
"methylated spirits" or "surgical spirit",
as appropriate. The draft Order would remove these requirements.
It would not remove the restrictions on the sale of methylated
and surgical spirits to those aged under fourteen enshrined in
the 1937 Act[3].
3. Following our consideration of the proposal, we
concluded that it met the criteria against which we are required
to judge it, and we recommended that a draft Order should be made
in the same terms as the proposal[4].
No changes have been made to the draft Order now laid.
4. The House has instructed us to consider the extent
to which the Minister has had regard to "any other representations
made during the period for parliamentary consideration."[5]
The Department did not receive any further representations[6].
Report under Standing Order No. 141
5. We recommend unanimously that the draft Order
should be approved.
1 Copies of these are available to Members from the
Vote Office and to members of the public from the Scottish Office. Back
2 Fourth
Report, Proposal for the Deregulation (Methylated Spirits Sale
by Retail) (Scotland) Order 1998, HC 614 of Session 1997-98. Back
3 Surgical
spirit may only be sold to under 14s if the seller is an authorised
seller of poisons or the spirit is supplied by a medical practitioner,
dentist or vet for specified purposes, subject to conditions. Back
4 Fourth
Report, paragraph 19. Back
5 Standing
Order No. 141(5)(B). Back
6 Statement,
paragraph 9. Back
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