§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent negotiations his Department has held with brandy producers in South Africa in respect of the level of duties being levied against Scotch whisky. [16374]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe British High Commission in South Africa has supported the representations made to the Board on Tariffs and Trade by Scotch whisky producers and the Scotch Whisky Association pressing for rejection of the application made by domestic brandy producers for increase of duty on imported spirits. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade raised the issue with the Government of South Africa during his visit to South Africa last week. We have had no direct contact with South African brandy producers.