§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy with regard to the minimum level of excise duty on(a) still table wine and (b) sparkling wine, that should be applied within the European Community.
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§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe United Kingdom has consistently argued that it does not consider centrally determined duty rates as necessary for the completion of the single market, and that member states should be free to set their own rates of duty. The Government are prepared to accept a minimum zero rate for both still and sparkling wines, provided that wine is treated as an excisable product and remains within the control system for intra-EC movements of goods subject to excise duties.