§ Mr. Campbellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the European Economic Community Commission has referred the United Kingdom's excise duties on alcoholic drinks to the Court of Justice on the grounds that these discriminate in favour of beer against wine and spirits; and if not, whether it is likely to do so.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe European the Economic Commission transmitted to the United Kingdom in November 1977 a reasoned opinion to the effect that in its view the level of the United Kingdom wine duty affords indirect protection to beer. It has not yet referred the case to the European Court and I have received no information whether it intends to do so.