§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether at the latest meeting of EEC Finance Ministers, Her Majesty's Government asked for a variation of the EEC directive on the harmonisation of tobacco taxation so as to ensure that the present price differential between small cigarettes and king-size cigarettes might be maintained; if not, why not; and, if such a variation was sought, what decision was arrived at.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettNo. There was a meeting of EEC Finance Ministers yesterday, at which my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary was present, but tobacco harmonisation was not on the agenda.
599WAt the time of the United Kingdom's accession to the Community the previous Government accepted the terms of the EEC first directive on harmonisation of tobacco taxation subject to a five-year derogation, which expires at the end of 1977. We consider ourselves to be fully committed to implementing the directive by the due date.