Conservatives force SNP to carry out urgent assessment of impact of minimum pricing on exports

Today's finance committee heard from the Scotch Whisky Association that the introduction of minimum pricing by the SNP could reduce exports by £500million a year.

Whisky exports are worth £3billion a year to the Scottish economy and ministers have set a target of increasing all exports by 50 per cent by 2017.

However, Scottish Government officials admitted in today's evidence that they have no idea what impact minimum pricing would have on the country's lucrative export market.

They were even forced to admit that they had failed to consult their own Government agency, Scottish Development International (SDI).

Scottish Conservative Finance Spokesman, Gavin Brown MSP said:

"I'm astonished that there has been absolutely no correspondence between Scottish Government officials and Scottish Development International, who are responsible for boosting the country's export market.

"Ministers talk about joined up Government, but in this case there has not even been joined up writing.

"Last week we heard how the Council of Economic Advisers, who were tasked with giving advice to the First Minister on the economy had not met for 14 months, now we learn that the Scottish Government has not even bothered to consult its own agency on a measure that could seriously damage exports.

"Today, the Scottish Government were forced under the pressure of questioning to agree to consult with SDI urgently and provide a written report by next month."

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