§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give greater encouragement to wine producers in the United Kingdom by a reduction in the present rate of excise duty.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe United Kingdom has an obligation under Article 95 of the Treaty of Rome to charge the same rate of excise duty on wine produced in the United Kingdom as on imported wine. I do not believe that a reduction in the level of excise duty on all wines would be an appropriate way to encourage United Kingdom wine producers.