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Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Alan Reid (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 28 November 2007 on behalf of the Scotland Office.


Whisky Industry

Question
The Secretary of State will be aware that the duty the Chancellor charges on whisky is far higher per unit of alcohol than on wine. Will the Secretary of State lobby the Chancellor to equalise rates of duty in the next budget to create a level playing field for the Scotch whisky industry?
Answer

I suppose I should declare an interest in this matter, because I have one of the biggest Scotch whisky bottling plants in my constituency—the world-famous Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock. I have a long-standing interest in ensuring a level playing field for Scotch whisky in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. I am pleased to remind the hon. Gentleman of what he already knows, which is that since we came to power, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has frozen the duty on Scotch whisky year on year in order to achieve that very competitiveness.


Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
468 c271 
Session
2007-08
Oral question type
Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Alcoholic drinks Competition Excise duties Scotland Whisky Overseas trade Trade
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk