HC Deb 10 June 1988 vol 134 c690W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his assessment of the impact on the United Kingdom balance of payments current account of the Japanese Government's present discriminatory system of liquor taxation.

Mr. Alan Clark

We are currently awaiting the Japanese Government's response to the recommendations of the general agreement on tariffs and trade that the discriminatory element in Japanese taxation of imported wines and spirits should be removed. We expect substantially increased exports of Scotch whisky to Japan following tax reform.