Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the Scotch Whisky industry to (a) rural employment and (b) investment.
Answered by David Rutley
The Scotch Whisky industry provides vital employment and investment to communities across Scotland. It is estimated that 7,000 people are directly employed by the industry in rural areas of Scotland.
Asked by: Martin Whitfield (Labour - East Lothian)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been employed by the Scotch Whisky industry in the last five years.
Answered by David Rutley
More than 10,500 people are directly employed in the Scotch Whisky industry in Scotland, and over 42,000 jobs across the UK are supported by the industry.