§ Sir Barney HayhoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the benefit derived from the duty free concession to transport operators of air and sea routes during each of the last five years; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy Department's estimates of the impact of the abolition of duty-free allowances on air and sea transport have been based on commercially confidential information. My right hon. Friend will understand that in these circumstances I am unable to provide the information he is seeking.
§ Sir Barney HayhoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the proportion of the duty forgone by the Treasury on duty-free sales, particularly at ports and on aircraft, which(a) subsidise transport operators and (b) directly benefit the travellers who purchase such goods.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI regret that the information requested cannot be given since there is no reliable detailed information available on duty-free expenditure by travellers entering or leaving the United Kingdom.