HC Deb 27 January 1977 vol 924 cc762-3W
Mr. Marten

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the charges levelled at the United Kingdom by the EEC Commission that high excise duties on wine are levied to protect United Kingdom breweries from competition from French and Italian wine imports and that wine and beer are similar products.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The relative levels of the United Kingdom excise duties on beer and wine are not intended to protect United Kingdom breweries from competition from French and Italian, or any other, wine. I do not consider wine and beer are similar.