§ Mr. Cockeramasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is
Member State Main rate applicable of food Other rates Rate Coverage Per cent. Per cent. Belgium … … … 6 16 Soft drinks 25 Caviar Denmark … … … 20.25 — — France … … … 7 17.6 Certain soft drinks, margarine, confectionery . Caviar Germany … … … 6.5 13 Certain shellfish and soft drinks Ireland … … … 0 10 Fruit juices, ice-cream, confectionery, biscuits, potato crisps and the like Italy … … … 6 1 Bread, flour, fresh fish and milk, pasta 3 Butter, cheese, eggs, grapes, tomato conserves, fresh and dried vegetables, rice, sugar 9 Pork 18 Beef, veal etc 35 Smoked salmon and sturgeon, caviar, truffles, confectionery containing sugar, chocolate Luxembourg … … 5 2 Certain meat, dairy and bakery products 10 Margarine, confectionery, shellfish Netherlands … … 4 18 Soft drinks and confectionery United Kingdom … … … 0 15 Ice-cream, chocolate, confectionery, biscuits, soft drinks, potato crisps and the like In addition, all member States charge VAT on alcoholic drinks at positive rates.
§ Mr. Beithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the proposal to abandon monthly value added tax repayments; and whether he is now reconsidering the proposal in the light of its effect on working capital in industry at a time of high interest rates.
§ Mr. Peter ReesRepresentations have been received from, or on behalf of, the
774Wsatisfied with the long-term prospects for the dairy sector of the United Kingdom agriculture industry.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI believe the structure and efficiency of our dairy industry provide a sound basis for its long-term future.