§ Mr. Lomasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) why the current European Economic Community directive on the subject of duty-free purchases by individual travellers has been issued before the harmonisation of excise rates;
(2) if he is aware that the passage of the draft directive by the European Economic Community on the subject of duty-free purchase will adversely affect the economics of travel between the United Kingdom and other community countries; and if he will make representations to the European Economic Community to reconsider the directive.
§ Mr. HigginsThe question of duty-free purchases by individual travellers is a subject of a draft directive which has been prepared on the initiative of the Commission and is at present under discussion with the Community in Brussels. The views of shipping and airline organisations and others concerned about the possible effects of this directive are being fully borne in mind in these discussions.