§ Mr. SimsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what grounds he has decided against extending the requirement to sell gin, rum, vodka and whisky in prescribed quantities to other spirits and liqueurs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeighFollowing consultation, I announced on 25 July my decision not to extend the categories of spirits to be sold in prescribed quantities. No members of the public have complained to me about the limited scope of the legislation. Moreover, if the legislation were extended the same instrument design could no longer be used for all spirits subject to prescribed quantities. This might result in the accidental use of the wrong instrument and would place an additional burden on the trade. Some consultees also stated that many non-controlled spirits are sold as after-dinner drinks and tend to compete more with each other than with the four controlled ones.