Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

John Stevenson Excerpts
Thursday 7th September 2017

(6 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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As I have said to others, I can hear that this is an important matter. There have been big problems over the summer, and I will certainly take this up.

John Stevenson Portrait John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con)
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The growth in the spirits market, particularly gin, whisky and other spirits, both here and in exports, is important to our economy. Indeed, there is a Lakes distillery now in Cumbria. Will the Leader of the House agree to a debate on the importance of this sector and of reaching a sector deal, and does she agree that such a deal must be UK-wide, not limited to any particular part of the country?

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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My hon. Friend raises a valuable point. I travelled around Europe this summer and saw the fantastic UK spirits now available there and the increasing exports. Spirits are an increasingly important UK export, and I would support any efforts he wants to make to ensure we give them the right level of priority.