Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people employed (a) directly, (b) in the supply chain and (c) in the tourism industry as a result of the Scottish whisky industry.

The Scottish whisky industry makes a significant contribution to employment in Scotland and the wider UK. The latest Scotch Whisky Association GVA figures (2014-2016) show that the industry directly supports employment of 10,540 and a further 21,860 jobs in the supply chain. The industry also contributes to the wider Scottish tourism sector.