§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the issue of the harmonisation of EU excise duties on alcohol at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.
§ Sir John CopeThe issue of excise duties on alcohol will be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Council of Economic and Finance Ministers when studies being undertaken by the Commission in accordance with article 8 of Council directive 92/84/EEC have been completed. This may be in time for the next meeting, but if not it will be raised at a later meeting.
§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to introduce additional measures to prevent illegal importation of alcohol for resale;
(2) if he will initiate a review of measures which are taken in order to prevent the illegal importation of alcohol for resale.
§ Sir John CopeCustoms has deployed additional staff and taken other measures to counter the threat posed by the illegal importation of alcohol for resale. Customs is continually reviewing its methods and effectiveness in tackling this issue.
§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to harmonise United Kingdom excise duties on alcohol with those in the rest of the EC.
208W
§ Sir John CopeMember states should be free to set the rates that they feel are appropriate to their own particular circumstances, subject only to the agreed minimum rates. That was the basis of the agreement reached by all member states at ECOFIN on 19 October 1992.