To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to (a) the Foreign Office, (b) the Treasury and (c) the European Commission on the importance of duty free sales in the EU for the Scotch whisky industry; and if he will make a statement. [19826]

[holding answer 9 December 1997]: I am aware of the implications for the Scotch whisky industry of the proposed abolition of intra-EU duty free sales by the Scotch Whisky Association and others, and I am in regular contact with my colleagues on this and other matters relating to the Scotch whisky industry.