§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has proposed a system of double tax-free allowances for persons travelling from one Community state to another; and if he will double the tax-free allowance of all persons entering this country from any of the countries of the Six and give the estimate of the cost of such concessions;
(2) whether he is aware that travellers from the countries of the Six are allowed to bring through the customs $75 worth of tax-free goods and the Commission of the European Economic Community has proposed allowances of 400 cigarettes, one kilogram of coffee, one bottle of spirits or three litres of aperitif wine and four litres of wine; how these compare with Great Britain's tax-free allowances; what action he proposes to take to harmonise these tax concessions for visitors from the Six; and what is his estimate of the costs of such concessions;
157W(3) whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has proposed the elimination of all restrictions on the quantity of tax-free tea and perfume for travellers within the countries of the Six; whether he will arrange for similar concessions to be granted to travellers from the countries in the Six to Great Britain; and what is the estimated cost of such concessions.
UNITED KINGDOM EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (Duties and taxes) (Excise duties and turnover taxes) Tobacco … … … … 250 grammes … … 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250 grammes of tobacco. Alcoholic Berverages … … … ¾-litre spirits, ¾-litre wine … 1 litre spirits, or 2 litres fortified or sparkling wines, n.e. alcoholic content of 22 degrees and 2 litres still wines. Perfume and Toilet Waters … … 30 centilitres in all, of which not more than half may be perfume. 50 grammes, ¼-litre. Coffe or Coffee Extracts or Essence No quantitative restriction 500 grammes, 200 grammes. Tea or Tea Extracts or Essences … No quantitative restriction 100 grammes, 40 grammes. Mechanical Lighters … … One only … … … No quantitative restriction. Other Goods: Overall Value Limit … … £10 … … … … 75 units of account (U.S. dollars) equals £30 approximately.