§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek the renegotiation of the EEC tax regulations in relation to cigarettes on health grounds.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonWe are seeking the agreement of the other EEC member States and the Commission to a derogation which would enable the United Kingdom Government, subject to the passage of the necessary Finance Bill provision, to impose a supplementary duty on cigarettes with tar yields above a certain level. Our proposal is due to be discussed further at a meeting of ELC Finance Ministers on Monday 19th December.