Published on:
13
September 2006
Trading Standards Officers have this week released the results of their Fair Measure Project which targeted pubs 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 (the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland), and involved officers from 25 out of 32 local authorities in Scotland.
Staff from Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards visited 20 premises, 10 in each authority area, and made 2 test purchases in each pub.
A total of 55% of the samples tested in Clackmannanshire were found to be short measure. In the majority of cases, these errors were quite small, amounting to less than 4% of the total. However, some larger deficiencies up to 19% were found. As a result, three Clackmannanshire pubs are likely to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and now face possible prosecution for offences under The Weights and Measures Act 1985.
Although no pubs are to be reported for over measure, Hugh Hamilton from Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards expressed concern about some of the results.
He said: "One rural pub in the Clackmannanshire area was found to be supplying 11% 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. It is essential that staff in licensed premises learn how to use their measuring equipment properly. These results suggest that this is simply not happening at the moment. Only one pub in Clackmannanshire managed to supply the correct quantity."
Across Scotland officers visited 193 licensed premises and tested a total of 343 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.
Ken Daly, Chairman of SCOTSS, said that the results were extremely disappointing, with only 39 samples containing the correct quantity.
A staggering 155 samples (45% of the total) were found to be short measure ie. they contained less than the stated amount. Some authorities reported individual deficiencies of more than 20%, with one authority finding that over three quarters of their samples contained less than expected.
Nearly the same number 148 samples (43% of the total) resulted in an over measure, and three authorities found an average of more than 11% over measure from all the samples they took.
Ken Daly said: "These results certainly justify local authorities carrying out this sort of project. The extremes of measures at both ends of the spectrum show that we need to work with the licensed trade in order to train staff 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."
The pattern of short and over measure was spread fairly consistently throughout the country, with no real differences between predominantly urban or rural areas.
It is intended that as one of the outcomes of the project, SCOTSS and the local authorities will work with members of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association on providing updated training for traders.
Colin Wilkinson, secretary of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association said: "The results of this survey emphasise the need for licensees and their staff to receive proper training in all aspects of managing licensed premises. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association looks forward to working with Trading Standards to review and update existing training to make sure licensees' legal responsibilities are met."
If anyone wishes further information on the work that Trading Standards undertake in relation to weights and measures, or any other legislative area, they should contact their local office which can be found through the SCOTSS website : www.scotss.org.uk
SCOTSS is the professional body which represents Trading Standards services in all 32 Scottish local authorities. It coordinates fair trading, safety and weights and 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.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association, 10 Walker Street, Edinburgh EH13 7LA, is the trade association that represents all aspects of Scotland's licensed trade. Contact Colin Wilkinson, tel : 0131 225 5169.
SCOTSS spokespeople are available for interview; please contact Angela Blair for further details or a full copy of the project parameters - Angela Blair, SCOTSS Coordinator, 43 Clouston Street, Glasgow G20 8QP, tel : 0141 946 4257 / mob : 07769 715243 / email : angela.blair@scotss.org.uk