§ Sir William Clarkasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the duty on alcohol would have to be increased to take account of inflation since April 1975; what would this increase amout to on a pint of beer, a bottle of spirits and a bottle of wine; and what is his estimate of the extra revenue to the Exchequer during the year 1981–82.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe information is as follows:
Increase* in duty rate per hectolitre to maintain real value since the increase in April 1975 Approximate price increase including VAT Beer £4.91 plus £0.164 per degree in excess of 1030° 4p per pint Spirits £6.43** mature £2.25 per bottle of whisky Wine: *** light £6.41** immature £44.94 39p per 75cl bottle—table wine medium £73.83 64p per 75cl bottle—sherry heavy £57.18 49p per 75cl bottle—port * Based on the movement of the RPI up to January 1981. ** Per litre of pure spirits. ***In 1975 the same rate of duty was charged on both medium and heavy wine. It is estimated that the additional revenue in a full year would be of the order of £575 million.