HC Deb 20 March 1963 vol 674 cc364-5
11. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Lord Privy Seal in which overseas countries British diplomats are entitled to obtain domestically produced spirits free of excise duty.

Mr. Heath

British diplomats are entitled to obtain domestically produced spirits free of excise, or equivalent, duty in 18 countries. In two other countries they are entitled to specially reduced prices. I will put the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that British diplomats in those 18 countries are resting on the good nature of the local populations and that we in this country are not reciprocating to their diplomats here? This must be rather embarrassing to the Foreign Office. Will my right hon. Friend mention it to his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Heath

I think that my right hon. Friend is aware of the position.

Following is the list:

Belgium. Laos.
Denmark. Luxembourg.
Dominican Republic The Netherlands.
France. Norway.
Finland. Roumania.
Germany. Sweden.
Haiti. Tunis.
Hungary. Reduced prices:
Iceland, Poland.
Israel. Turkey.
Italy.