Liquor miniatures might be off the shelves -- but cold beers will stay on sale in grocery stores despite calls to axe them as well.

Education and Human Affairs Minister Jerome Dill said: "There was a great deal of talk and concern -- but Government decided it was prudent to strike a balance.'' And he said changes in the law to ensure that grocery-type stores only sold alcohol from separate areas with their own tills would cut down on the possibility of abuse.

Mr. Dill was speaking after House of Assembly banned the sale of miniatures in grocery and convenience stores which also have a licence to sell alcohol.

But he added the sale of the tiny bottles of spirits -- popular with tourists as tasters and souvenirs -- can still be sold in full-time liquor stores.

Mr. Dill said: "You will not be able to sell them in grocery stores -- but a liquor store is in the business of selling liquor, which includes legitimately selling samples.'' Mr. Dill explained Government had followed closely a 1988 report by the then-National Alcohol and Drug Agency, later updated, in framing the legislation.

He said that the report identified miniatures as the most likely to be abused.

Mr. Dill added: "I wouldn't say the sale of cold beers is not seen to be problematic, but it was thought the miniatures were the real problem.'' Road Safety Council and Police Eastern Division Consultative Committee chairman W. (Toppy) Cowen two months ago called for cold beers to be frozen out of grocery and convenience stores, as well as supermarkets, along with miniatures.

He said both "encouraged people to drink as quickly as possible'' and that they contributed to the Island's litter problem.

Earlier, Progressive Labour Party Sen. Terry Lister called for the sale of cold beers to be banned from corner store-type shops.

But grocery store owner Richard Powell hit back that a "double standard'' was operating, where office workers could drink in bars and restaurants, while outside workers could not enjoy a cold beer with his lunch.

Mr. Dill also moved to end confusion over a law change to ban under-age youngsters from some licenced premises.

He stressed only bars and nightclubs were affected by the new legislation -- not restaurants.