§ Mr. Campbellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he intends to take to ensure that European Community proposals concerning the disposal of subsidised alcohol do not disturb or distort competition in the spiritous beverage market to the disadvantage of Scotch whisky.
§ Mr. JoplingOne of my Department's major concerns in discussion of the Commission's proposals for general rules for the disposal of intervention alcohol stocks has been to ensure that the minimum sale prices permitted will be at levels which do not disturb the markets for alcohol and spiritous beverages including, of course, Scotch whisky. To that end, a number of changes in the proposed rules have already been secured. Should the proposals be endorsed by the Council, it will continue to be our concern that in applying the detailed rules this intention is fully observed and respected.