Committee to Consider Whisky Inquiry

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed a confirmation from the Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, Iain Smith, that the Scottish Parliament committee will consider his request for an inquiry into the Scotch whisky industry. Mr Stevenson commented:

"I very much welcome the Convener's confirmation that the Committee will consider an inquiry into the Scotch whisky industry. When Diageo, one of the major players in the Scotch whisky industry, plans to shed so many jobs and ditch 200 years of heritage I believe it is right that they account to the wider community for their management of one of Scotland’s most important industries.

"Whisky forms a significant component of Scotland’s and the UK’s exports. And Scotland as the base of operations gives the Scotch whisky industry a major competitive boost in global markets in terms of reputation and brand loyalty, and I hope that the committee will be able to quantify such factors. It is right that the Scottish Parliament seeks to inform itself about the strategic direction of the industry and the issues it faces in growing its exports in the face of global competition.

"These are just some of the overall issues I hope the Committee will be able to investigate and I look forward to a positive response to their considerations for an inquiry."