HC Deb 24 March 1969 vol 780 c196W
49. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why his Protocol Department has decided to restrict the amounts of tax-free Scotch whisky purchased by foreign embassies and Commonwealth High Commissions in London.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The arrangement under which the excise duty element in the cost of United Kingdom produced spirits is refunded to Heads of Foreign and Commonwealth Diplomatic Missions in London is a concession which was introduced in 1964.

This concession is limited to "reasonable quantities" for official entertainment purposes and Her Majesty's Government have always reserved the right to disallow reimbursement beyond that point.

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