Whisky Distilling Industry

HC Deb 30 March 1983 vol 40 cc162-3W

43. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if Her Majesty's Government will introduce Government proposals to assist the whisky distilling industry.

Mr. Younger

We are already assisting the industry. Distillers have received over £100 million as a result of our successful negotiations in the European Community on cereal refunds and, more recently, benefited from the introduction of the deferred payment system for excise duty. Recent Budgets have taken account of the problems of the industry and, since some 80 per cent. of production is sold abroad, the Government are continuing to press vigorously for the removal of barriers to exports of Scotch whisky.