Scotch Whisky Excise Duty Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Scotch Whisky Excise Duty

Gemma Doyle Excerpts
Wednesday 8th January 2014

(10 years, 11 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Brian H. Donohoe Portrait Mr Donohoe
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I am grateful, Mrs Main. I hope that Members will note what you have said. What the hon. Member for North Antrim (Ian Paisley) said is important. He is from another part of the United Kingdom and correcting this wrong tax at the Budget is as important to him and his constituents.

Brian H. Donohoe Portrait Mr Donohoe
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I give way to my hon. Friend, who is the treasurer of the all-party group.

Gemma Doyle Portrait Gemma Doyle
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I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way. He will be aware that the whisky industry is very important for jobs in West Dunbartonshire, too. Does he share my concern that the concessions previously given to beer and cider are mainly based on the fact that those industries ran a good campaign? I would not take that away from them, but we need a more coherent look at excise duty across alcohol products.

Brian H. Donohoe Portrait Mr Donohoe
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Again, I am grateful for that intervention. I am sure that we have learned a lesson in that respect and that we will make damn sure that our campaign this time is as good as, if not better than, the beer campaign.