The committee wants supermarkets covered by the law

The Scottish Parliament's local government committee says the curbs should cover the retail sector.

The committee has published a report on the Licensing (Scotland) Bill which sets out legislation banning "happy hour" promotions in pubs.

More could have been done to extend the "irresponsible drinks promotions" ban, its convener Bristow Muldoon said.

"The committee appreciated that the executive needs to gather evidence to link off-sales with anti-social behaviour but we urge ministers to treat the off-sales sector on the same basis as on-sales if they find the evidence required," he added.

Number of licences

The bill aims to reduce irresponsible drinking and break the link between alcohol misuse and crime.

If approved, it would make happy hours illegal and would allow local boards to refuse a licence if an area was already flooded with pubs and clubs.

The bill would also replace the "outdated" regime of statutory opening hours for pubs with licences granted on a "premises by premises" approach.

In its report, the local government committee also said more detail was needed about the functions of licensing standards officers, a new type of official who will ensure compliance.