Extra strength gin should be sold to MPs to help them deal with 'tough times'

Double or triple strength gin should be provided in the House of Commons to help MPs deal with "tough times", an MP has suggested.

Plymouth Labour MP Luke Pollard called for his local gin to be stocked in the House of Commons to commemorate the Mayflower 400 celebrations.

He suggested selling Plymouth Gin in the bars would be a good way to mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth to the US.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Pollard suggested going further and stocking extra-strength gin to help MPs cope with "tough times".

Mr Pollard said: "In these tough times, may I suggest we not only look at the standard strength gin, but Plymouth Gin's Navy strength, because we could all do with a little bit extra in these tough times."

Speaking for the House of Commons Commission, Lib Dem Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) said the House of Commons catering service "does not currently stock Plymouth Gin", but will seek to stock some for the Mayflower 400 commemoration.

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He said, however, that stocking extra-strength alcohol may not be something the House of Commons would welcome.

Mr Brake said: "Mr Pollard may be aware of moves within the House perhaps to look at the availability of alcohol within this place, so I am not sure double or triple strength gin may be something the House wants to entertain.

"But he has put that on the record and I will take that back to the catering services to see if they want to stock the double or treble strength that he proposes."