§ 21. Mr. McKelveyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the implications of the decision by the European Commission to limit the alcohol volume strength of Scotch whisky to no less than 40 per cent.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe minimum alcoholic strength of all whiskies would be set at 40 per cent. by volume if the Commission's proposals were adpoted by the Council of Ministers. There would be no provision for whisky of lower strength to be sold if labelled "under strength" as at present. The European Parliament has given its approval to the proposals, but they are still the subject of detailed discussion.