Extracts from Commons proceedings: Whisky - June 10
|
Extracts from International Trade questions Drew Hendry (Inverness,
Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) (SNP):...SMEs make up the backbone
of the Scotch Whisky industry and the Minister likes to talk about
Whisky so let us talk about the reality for the industry resulting
from the Government’s trade policy. Speyside Distillery, winner of
best Whisky at the world Whisky awards, tells me that sales are
dramatically down since Brexit and that this Government’s awful
Brexit deal has led to the...Request free trial
Extracts from
International Trade questions
Drew Hendry (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) (SNP):...SMEs make up the backbone of the Scotch Whisky industry and the Minister likes to talk about Whisky so let us talk about the reality for the industry resulting from the Government’s trade policy. Speyside Distillery, winner of best Whisky at the world Whisky awards, tells me that sales are dramatically down since Brexit and that this Government’s awful Brexit deal has led to the cost of its goods going up by a fifth—up 12% on glass and up 7% on cardboard—and increased shipping costs and delays. Extra paperwork alone is costing it 33p per case. It tells me that a deal with Australia will not even scratch the sides of its substantial losses from Brexit, so what additional support and compensation will the Government pay to distilleries such as Speyside for these losses? The Minister for Trade Policy (Greg Hands) [V]: I am delighted to hear the Scottish National party raise the subject of Whisky because it did not do so in the urgent question two weeks ago on the Australia trade deal. I remind SNP Members that Scotch Whisky currently faces tariffs going into Australia; it is one of Scotch whisky’s most important markets and is a growing market even during the pandemic. In terms of trade volumes with the European Union, we are continuing to see a recovery in the data. This is of course volatile data, but none the less there was a 46% increase in exports to the EU in February and a further 9% increase in March. Further data will be coming out in due course. Drew Hendry: As ever, when presented with the realities the Minister just spins into Brexit fantasy. They just do not care about Scottish businesses. There is a good reason why the SNP has never supported Westminster’s trade policy, and that is because Scotland’s needs are always ignored. The UK Government said fishing was expendable during the EU negotiations in the ’70s, their Brexit obsession dragged us out of the world’s largest single market, and now they are betraying our farmers and crofters all while capitulating on standards in animal welfare. They do not listen to Scotland and they do not care about Scotland, but is the Minister aware that they are being found out in Scotland? Greg Hands: I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman has been listening carefully enough to what I have been saying to him about the SNP and trade deals. It is not just Westminster trade deals that he and his colleagues have rejected; they have even rejected the trade deals negotiated previously by the European Union. He has pledged to rejoin the EU, in which case Scotland would become immediately subject to those trade deals. He also wishes to rejoin the common fisheries policy, which would be completely against the interest of fishers right across Scotland. The SNP has never supported any trade deal. It has been against the Canada and South Africa deals, and it has not supported the Japan or Singapore deals. It is simply anti-business, anti-trade and against the interests of the Scotch Whisky industry and of Scottish fishers. Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD): Scotch Whisky is vital in North East Fife, not just because we enjoy a wee dram, particularly on birthdays—many happy returns, Mr Speaker—but because it forms a key part of the local economy. With four independent distilleries in my constituency, the success of these businesses matters both for those in directly linked jobs and for those working in tourism and hospitality. Can the Secretary of State confirm that the Prime Minister will use his bilateral meeting with President Biden this week to agree and publish a clear road map for the permanent settlement of the Boeing-Airbus dispute, which would remove the risk of tariffs being reimposed on Scotch Whisky and other sectors? Elizabeth Truss: It was very positive news when the tariffs were lifted earlier this year. We are now working very closely with Katherine Tai, the US TR, with whom I have regular conversations, on a permanent settlement to this arrangement, and we are making good progress. Extracts from Commons debate on Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industries Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD) [V]:...Last year, I invited the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to come and see for himself the Scottish Whisky industry in my constituency and other things he cared to see. The right hon. Gentleman came, and I believe the visit was a success. It may prove to be something unusual for an Opposition MP to do, but at the end of the day, I am about trying to get the best for my constituency, and I will speak to politicians of any party if it helps bring things to fruition. I extend the same warm invitation to the Minister responding to this debate today or, indeed, any other member of Her Majesty’s Government who would like to come and see what we already have in terms of golf—and in Whisky food or whatever, too—but also what we seek to do for the future. As I said at the beginning, and I say it again, this is all part of the effort to get our great country back on its feet... John Nicolson (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP):...Finally, I say to the Minister, and to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, that however you travel, if you are looking for a wonderful spot to go on holiday this autumn, I would recommend my constituency of Ochil and South Perthshire. I would challenge any Member to find a more beautiful piece of the world than picturesque Perthshire, glorious Kinross, and the stunning Ochil hills. Rocks, castles, Whisky and extraordinary food: we have it all and you are more than welcome... To read the whole debate, CLICK HERE |