World Whisky Day: UK Government Criticised for 'Penalisation' of Scotch Whisky Industry

On World Whisky Day the Scottish National Party has criticised the UK government for charging Scottish organisations to promote whisky in UK embassies, despite Scots taxpayers contributing to Foreign Office hospitality.

The UK government has charged Scottish organisations to promote whisky, which is one of the UK’s biggest exports, despite other UK trade and investment groups holding similar events being allowed to use the facilities for free.

William Hague has previously been ridiculed for claiming foreign embassies would charge to promote whisky after Scotland becomes independent- only for it to emerge that they already charge Scottish Development International £3000 a time for receptions promoting whisky.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader and Moray MP Angus Robertson MP said:

“Scots taxpayers are being double-charged by the Foreign Office to promote one of the UK’s biggest exports.

“Scotland’s whisky industry has being going from strength to strength- but with little thanks to the UK government. Scottish Development International has done fantastic work to promote Scottish trade and investment worldwide, but the charges they have faced by UK embassies is an example of how Scotland is losing out because of decisions made at Westminster.”

PQ answer showing hospitality costs can be found here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121213/text/121213w0003.htm#12121360000069

Details of embassies charging to promote Scotch Whisky can be found at
http://www.whisky-drinker.com/2012/01/28/whisky-industry-already-paying-for-embassy-support/