§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the effect on consumers, tourists and the tourism industry of the 1999 cessation of duty-free sales in the European Union and in the United Kingdom in particular. [HL1167]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyI am not aware that any substantive analysis or assessment has been made on the effect on consumers, tourists and the tourism industry following the cessation of duty-free sales in the European Union in July 1999. However, there is currently no direct evidence to suggest that the abolition of duty free sales has had an unfavourable impact on the tourism industry.