SCOTCH WHISKY TAXATION

That this House, mindful of the urgent need to balance the Budget without jeoparidising an economic recovery nor job prospects in crucial industries, urges the Chancellor of the Exchequer to acknowledge the vital contribution to the United Kingdom economy of export earnings from Scotch whisky and other spirits, to note the sharp reduction in sales at home last year which led to a loss of ú80 million in Exchequer revenue, to recognise the fragile improvement in the home market this year and to offer every encouragement to this improvement by ensuring that the tax treatment of spirits is in no way worsened in his Saint Andrew's Day Budget on 30th November.