Robert Smith
Main Page: Robert Smith (Liberal Democrat - West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine)Department Debates - View all Robert Smith's debates with the HM Treasury
Scotch Whisky Excise Duty
Robert Smith Excerpts(10 years, 11 months ago)
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Mr Donohoe
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the point he makes, and it is clear that the issue of jobs is part of the equation.
Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD)
One of the crucial points that the hon. Gentleman highlighted about the export industry is that the way we treat our own whisky at home sends a signal to foreign importing markets. It is important to send the right signal to those markets, so the Treasury needs to consider the impact that the issue has on the importing countries.
Mr Donohoe
That is a very important point. If we go to the European Commission and argue with it, there is that divide between the north and south of Europe; until a few years ago, the Commissioner was very pro-wine and anti-spirits. It is an indicator of the seriousness of the situation that we are discriminated against—the Commission throws at us the level of taxation in our own country. That is an element that must be addressed by the Chancellor at the Budget.