HC Deb 12 March 1998 vol 308 c310W
34. Mrs. Lait

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he is making at ECOFIN in persuading European Union Finance Ministers to increase excise duty on tobacco and alcohol. [32526]

Dawn Primarolo

The issue of excise duty rates on tobacco and alcohol has not been raised in ECOFIN so far during the UK Presidency. We await the commission's report on their reviews of the minimum rates of duty on tobacco and alcohol.

40. Mr. Forth

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from associations representing tobacco retailers and/or manufacturers concerning illegal resale of tobacco imported from Belgium. [32532]

Dawn Primarolo

The tobacco trade associations have made a number of written representations concerning the illegal re-sale of tobacco imported from Belgium. In addition I met with the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association on 4 March 1998.