division_name: Finance Bill - Rate of duty on spirits
motion: <p>[Relevant documents: The Minutes of Evidence taken before the Treasury Committee on Monday 21st July, Tuesday 22nd July and Wednesday 23rd July (HC169-i to iii).] 
  <p>Not amended (in the Committee), and as amended (in the Standing Committee), considered. 
  
   <p>
   
  (3) This section shall come into force on such day as the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may by order made by statutory instrument appoint.'.-- [Sir  Michael Spicer.] 
   
   Brought up, and read the First time. 
  <p>
   I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
  <p> 
      Madam Speaker:   
   With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments: No. 33, in clause 11, page 7, line 26, at end insert--
  <p>Question put and negatived. <p>
   I beg to move amendment No. 32, in page 5, leave out lines 27 to 29.
  <p> 
  
   New Members may not be aware of my long-standing interest in the whisky industry, but I represent the part of the United Kingdom with the largest number of distilleries per square mile. I therefore follow with great interest the significance of any change in taxation and duty as it affects employment in my area. The industry is vital not only in Moray but throughout Scotland and the United Kingdom.
  <p> 
  
   May I insert an element of humour into the debate? On Saturday I visited Dufftown highland games. Dufftown is known as a town founded on seven stills. A story that is reputed to have emerged from the games over the years is that the annual raffle for a gallon of Grant's Scotch whisky became a matter of great concern when the bottle disappeared at one stage and was never recovered. Bodyguards now guard the raffle stall whenever the games are held. I bought a raffle ticket, but so far I do not seem to have been lucky because I have had no information about it.
  <p> 
  
   On a more serious note, we should consider the employment aspects of the industry. Some 71,300 people in the United Kingdom depend on the Scotch whisky industry, according to a prestigious report produced by the Fraser of Allander Institute. That is three times the number of jobs dependent on computer manufacturing and four times the number dependent on the pharmaceutical industry. In Scotland, 14,000 direct Scotch whisky jobs support 47,460 jobs in our nation. Anyone reading those figures will realise that I am discussing a serious aspect of the economy as a whole, and the opportunities for employment that it offers.
  <p> 
  
   The amendment seeks to stop the increase of duty on spirits as from 1 January 1998. During the Budget speech on 2 July, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
  <p> 
   
    "I have . . . decided to review all alcohol and tobacco duties. While that review is under way, inflation-only rises for alcohol will take effect".--[ Official Report , 2 July 1997; Vol. 297, c. 311.]
  <p>Question put,  That the amendment be made:--
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 158, Noes 327.
   