THE one thing every political party at Holyrood can agree on is that Scotland's booze problem must be tackled. So, for the most part, the proposals outlined this week by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will gain support from the opposition parties.

With binge-drinking rife and alcohol abuse responsible for violence and health problems, none of them want to be accused of being soft on neds - the days of the SSP's Rosie Kane complaining people shouldn't be nasty to them are long gone.

However, there are contradictions in Mr MacAskill's plans which must be scrutinised, such as minimum prices per unit of alcohol which could result in lower prices for the neds' favourite guzzle.

While his intentions undoubtedly lie in the right direction, what is the point of banning under-21s from buying booze in an off-licence when they can get a carry-out from the pub next door?

Mr MacAskill, who is no killjoy, wants to deny under-age kids access to drink and no-one will argue if he makes life tough for rogue licensees.

But at 16, teenagers can get married and start a family, at 17 the forces will give them guns and live ammunition and at 18 they can go into pubs and vote politicians out of office.

The proposal would only be logical if the age for these things was increased to 21 as well - and that's not going to happen.

Jack McConnell made a rare foray into First Minister's Questions - not to challenge his successor, Alex Salmond, but to take on Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson.

He allowed a question by the SNP's Alex Neil on the Shell oil tankers' strike.

It had been overtaken by the settlement of the dispute and Mr Fergusson should have insisted the question was changed or dropped.

Instead, the First Minister was delivered an open goal and the chance to talk about Scotland's oil.

He can't be blamed for taking the opportunity but Mr Fergusson will have to sharpen up his act.

Among the thousands of sensible questions put to ministers, some are very peculiar - not so say completely daft.

Who could fathom what was in LibDem Margaret Smith's mind when she asked how many people had tried to break into Scottish prisons in the last five years?

Anyone shocked to learn the answer was none?

It appears not even right-wing Tories have enough faith in their claims that life behind bars is a cushy enough number to try it.

Ms Smith isn't the only LibDem to have come up with a loony idea this week.

Her Commons colleague, East Dunbartonshire's Jo Swinson, had a Westminster debate in which she said people's "happiness" should be taken into account when Government decide policy.

Interesting idea - if the LibDems ever get power at Westminster we can all look forward to zero taxes, free fuel and access to whatever planet the LibDems are on for those who want to risk it.

Looks like this pair could be switching allegiance to the Monster Raving Loony Party.