§ Mr. Martenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of Great Britain's application to join the Common Market, he will state the level of duties and taxes on wines and spirits in the Common Market and which Great Britain will be expected to follow; and what is the estimated loss of revenue likely to arise therefrom if Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. HigginsSo far as I am aware, there are as yet no proposals which specify harmonised rates for taxes on wines and spirits in the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of Great Britain's application to join the Common Market and in view of their aim to have a common value-added-tax, he will give the rates of value-added-tax of each country of the Six.
§ Mr. HigginsThe rates are as follows:
CURRENT RATES OF VALUE-ADDED TAX IN EEC COUNTRIES Per cent. France Germany Netherlands Luxembourg Standard rate 23 11 12 8 Reduced rate (7.5) 5½ 4 4 (17.6) Higher rate 33⅓ — — — Belgium and Italy have not yet introduced value-added-tax.