Published on:
20
October 2008
Trading Standards Officers have this week released the results of their 'Fair Measure Project' which targeted licensed premises throughout Scotland to see if they were supplying the correct quantities of whisky, gin, rum and vodka to their customers.
The project was co-ordinated by SCOTSS (Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland), and involved officers from 20 out of 32 local authorities in Scotland.
Trading Standards officers visited 217 licensed premises and tested a total of 415 spirit samples. Pubs are required to sell spirits in quantities of 25ml or 35ml, and must display a notice stating which of these two measures is being used.
David Thomson, Chairman of SCOTSS, said that the results were extremely disappointing, with a staggering 190 samples (45% of the total) found to be short measure - they contained less than the stated amount. Some authorities reported individual deficiencies of more than 33%, with one authority finding that three quarters of their samples contained less than expected.
He pointed out that this was now the third consecutive year that SCOTSS had run this type of project, and expressed some concern about the fact that the results were simply not improving - the failure rate has remained fixed at 45% throughout this period.
The pattern of short measure was spread fairly consistently throughout the country, with no real differences between predominantly urban or rural areas.
Stirling and Clackmannanshire was slightly worse than the national average, with 54% of the samples tested being short measure. In the majority of cases, these errors were quite small, amounting to less than 4% of the total. However, some larger deficiencies of up to 16% were found. As a result, seven licensed premises in the area have been issued with written warnings. In addition, one pub is likely to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and now faces possible prosecution for offences under The Weights and Measures Act 1985.
Although no licensed premises are to be reported for over-measure, Neil Chalmers from Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards Service expressed concern about some of the results. He said: "One licensed premise in the Stirling area was found to be supplying 60% more than expected. This can also be a problem. The police and health authorities in particular are urging people to drink responsibly and to know their limits. This can be very difficult if the amount of alcohol being supplied in pubs varies enormously each time.
"The results of this project emphasise the need for licensees and their staff to receive proper training in all aspects of managing licensed premises, and suggest that this is simply not happening at the moment. It is essential that staff in licensed premises learn how to use their measuring equipment properly.
"These results certainly justify local authorities carrying out this type of project. The extremes of measures at both ends of the spectrum show that more work needs to be done by the licensed trade to ensure that all staff are trained to provide more accurate measures. Scottish consumers need to have confidence in the accuracy of the measures supplied in licensed premises, for all types of alcohol."
It is intended that as one of the outcomes of the project, Trading Standards will work with members of the licensed trade to provide updated training, where necessary.
If anyone wishes further information on the work that Trading Standards undertake in relation to weights and measures, or any other legislative area, they can contact the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils joint Trading Standards Service on 0845 277 7000 or by visiting them at Municipal Buildings, 8-10 Corn Exchange Road, Stirling, FK8 2HU during normal office hours.
SCOTSS is the professional body, which represents Trading Standards Services in all 32 Scottish local authorities. It co-ordinates fair trading, safety and weights & measures issues across the country. As a section of the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), its purpose is to promote excellence and enhance the professionalism of its members in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses and targeting rogue traders.
This project involved statutory duties that local authorities have under The Weights and Measures Act 1985 to ensure that quantities prescribed for public sale are provided accurately as indicated. There are criminal penalties of a fine up to £5000 for anyone who provides inaccurate measures.