§ Mr. KnowlesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in tax in percentage terms on a packet of 20 cigarettes of the most popular brand since May 1979; and what has been the change in the tobacco price index compared with the all items index in the same period.
§ Mr. LilleyThe total of duty and value added tax on a packet of 20 cigarettes has increased by 188 per cent. since May 1979.
The tobacco price index increased by 160 per cent, between May 1979 and October 1987 compared with an increase of 88 per cent, in the all items index over the same period.