CIDER TAX

HL Deb 15 December 1977 vol 387 cc2263-4WA

Lord O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose any changes in the tax on cider.

Baroness BIRK

On its introduction in September 1976 the level of the cider duty was set at 22 per gallon. In spite of the 10 per cent. increase in the rate last December, the level of the cider duty is now lower in real terms than when it was introduced.

There is no reason to believe that the difficulties which the industry have been experiencing recently are the direct result of the imposition of the duty: it seems more likely that the poor summer, the low apple crop and general economic conditions have been responsible. Any change in the level of the cider duty would of course raise questions of a Budgetary nature.