HC Deb 10 December 1957 vol 579 cc1057-8
18. Sir R. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much maize has been imported into Scotland during the past year; and how much of it has been purchased for the purpose of distilling whisky.

Mr. Maclay

The Official statistics of imports relate to the United Kingdom as a whole, and I am, therefore, unable to say how much maize was imported into Scotland; nor am I in a position to answer the second part of the Question.

Sir R. Boothby

Will my right hon. Friend remind the distillers of Scotland that the importation of dollar feeding-stuffs unnecessarily is not desirable, that they built up their fame and fortunes on Scottish barley, and that they would be well advised to stick to it?

Mr. Maclay

I understand that the National Farmers' Unions are pursuing with the distillers the question whether in future more home-grown barley could be bought by the distillers