§ Mr. Skeetasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the comparative taxes on fuel oil in the several countries of the European Community including the United Kingdom, expressed in English currency.
§ Mr. HigginsThe taxes vary according to the type of fuel oil and the purpose for which it is used. The following table sets out what I understand to be the excise duties on heavy fuel oil in the 85W countries of the enlarged EEC, expressed in pence per gallon:
Country Excise duty in pence per gallon Belgium 0.42 Denmark Nil France Exempt for industrial use; for other uses, various rates Germany 1.16* Ireland Nil Italy 0.34 Luxembourg 0.42 Netherlands 0.80 United Kingdom 1.00 * To be reduced by one quarter on 1st January 1973. Rates of Exchange are those prevailing on 8th November.