§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the repercussions for the United Kingdom spirituous beverage industry, Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the United States of America Government about the proposed federal excise tax increase on spirits, in particular the non-applicability of the increase to other alcoholic beverages.
§ Mr. ChannonProposals to increase the federal excise tax on spirits are currently under consideration in the United States Congress as part of a deficit reduction package. As long as the proposals do not discriminate, directly or indirectly, between domestic and imported spirits, this is a matter for the United States Government.