Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to promote (a) Scotch whisky exports and (b) other Scottish exports.

The recent budget saw the Scotland Office awarded 750 thousand pounds to expand its international trade activities and establish the Brand Scotland initiative.

Brand Scotland funding will support industry via trade missions, projects delivered by the overseas network, and promotional events in the UK and overseas. The Scotland Office routinely promotes Scotch Whisky at events we run overseas, for example during my visits to Norway, and South East Asia this month. Scottish exports, including whisky, will all benefit from this work.