§ Mr. John Heddleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he intends to introduce legislation to control the sale of Scotch whisky.
§ Mr. JoplingTogether with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, I have withdrawn the proposals that we made last year for new whisky regulations because we are advised that it would not be appropriate to use food legislation to impose a minimum268W strength requirement. We are however considering ways and means of improving the labelling requirements for understrength spirits and we expect to make fresh proposals on this matter shortly. We will also be making proposals for regulations denning whisky to replace the definition in the Finance Act 1969, as amended.
We shall continue to press for progress in the Council of Ministers on the proposal for a Community regulation defining spirituous beverages, which includes a requirement that Scotch whisky shall be not less than 40 per cent, alcohol by volume.