Justice minister Cathy Jamieson

Plans to reform Scotland's licensing laws have been unveiled by justice minister Cathy Jamieson.

Speaking at a licensing conference in Edinburgh, her proposals included the scrapping of statutory permitted hours for the selling of alcohol, and the recruitment of licensing standards officers to monitor landlords' compliance with the rules.

The new proposals mirrored those outlined by Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson, in his review published last August.

And in line with the separate Daniels review published in February, local residents will be given a greater say in decisions over off-licence applications.

In addition, the white paper pledges action on "irresponsible drinks promotions" which could lead to crime and anti-social behaviour.

In 2000, the Scottish Crime Survey found that 72 per cent of serious crime victims said their assailant was under the influence of alcohol.

"Scotland has always had an uneasy relationship with alcohol," said Jamieson.

"It may provide us with our national drink, but it also provides us with real national problems.

"That's why our licensing laws need to support efforts to improve the nation's health and help break the link between excessive drinking and crime."

The minister argued that she wanted to maintain a balance between legislation and how people live and work.

"Our current licensing laws are out of step with these social developments," she said.

"We need new laws which reflect modern Scotland.  This package of reforms provide a sensible way forward."

But they have come under fire from Scottish Conservatives.

"Binge drinking will not be solved by price fixing," said MSP Brian Monteith.

"Restricting a publican's right to set prices whilst supermarkets are free to offer even bigger discounts means that those who wish to drink to excess can continue to drink to excess.

"If we wish to change Scotland's drinking culture then we must stop treating adults as children.

"Lifting the drink ban at all seater football grounds and at Murrayfield would have been a step in the right direction."