§ Mr. Skeetasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the most recent date for
Petrol Derv Fuel oil Heavy oil Coal Electricity Gas Belgium … … 16 16 6 6 6 16 6 Denmark* … … 20.25 20.25 20.25 20.25 20.25 20.25† 20.25† France … … 17.6 17.6 17.6 17.6 17.6 17.6 17.6 Germany … … 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 Ireland … … 10 10 Zero Zero Zero Zero Zero Italy … … 12 14 14 14 14 6 6 Luxembourg … … 5 5 5 5 18 5 5 Netherlands … … 18 18 18 18 18 18 18‡ United Kingdom … 15 15 Zero Zero Zero Zero Zero * The standard rate of 20.25 per cent. is to be raised to 22 per cent. on 1 July 1980. † Exempt if supplied in connection with the letting of houses or premises. ‡4 per cent. if used in heating process to benefit market garden produce. The Commission submitted papers to the European Council of 27–28 April on the desirability of a new Community energy initiative. These suggested that energy prices and taxes should be harmonised in the Community and also that there might be a new Community energy tax to finance additional expenditure on energy. No decisions have been taken by the Council on whether to proceed with the idea of an energy initiative.