Cabinet Minister Michael Gove was unable to define what a "substantial meal" actually constituted when he was grilled by Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain today.
Mr Gove appeared on the show for the first time since April, following the government's boycott of GMB.
Under the tier system that is due to come into force on Wednesday if passed by MPs, pubs and restaurants in Tier 2 can serve alcohol with a "substantial meal".
But there is confusion over what constitutes a substantial meal, with a minister suggesting yesterday that it was a Scotch egg.
As the interview started Piers asked Mr Gove: "Is a scotch egg a substantial meal?"
Mr Gove said: "It's probably a starter, but the more serious point is there are reasonable rules about hospitality in order to keep us all safe.
"The substantial meal definition has been enshrined in law for many years now and it already allows pubs to serve alcohol to 16 and 17-year-olds if they order one."
Piers and his co-host Susanna Reid asked Mr Gove what the definition was exactly and he floundered.
He said: "It's existed for many years before me."
* What do you think a substantial meal is? Tell us in the comments
Piers laid into him and said: "Even you can't tell us what a substantial meal is, how are people meant to know what to order?
"You want us to all go out and abide by the rules, but you're not able to tell us what your own rules are."
Mr Gove argued that pubs did know what the rules are and "the serious point is they know how to provide substantial meals."
Piers asked Mr Gove if people had to eat the food served to them, and said: "Do you have to eat the food, is the government mandating people eat substantial meals?"
Enter your postcode below to claim a free scratchcard
Mr Gove said: "We are relying on people's common sense, pubs can serve whatever they choose to."
Piers also asked Mr Gove where he would be spending Christmas this year.
He said: "I'll be spending it at home, (the amount of people we have around) is something I'm talking to my wife about, to have a safe and festive Christmas."
*GMB continues at 6am on ITV tomorrow
