§ Lord Lucas of Chilworthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement of Lord McIntosh of Haringey that the Government "want to see higher minimum excise rates on alcohol, tobacco and fuel. Indeed, we want to see higher minimum excise rates in other countries" (HL Deb., col. 977), how they reconcile this policy with the statement by Commissioner Monti that, "the purpose [of European Union tax harmonisation/co-ordination] is not, and even the side effect must not be, that of raising taxes". [HL4614]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeySuccessive governments have long been in favour of sensible and realistic minimum rates of duty on mineral oils, tobacco, beer and wine to facilitate the functioning of the internal market.