§ Mr. Joseph Deanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has reached any conclusion regarding the introduction of duty-free facilities for travellers between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI have considered this matter jointly with Mr. Colley Tanaiste and Minister for Finance in the Republic of Ireland. We have decided that as from 1st March 1978 both countries will allow duty-free stores to ships, both passenger and cargo, of not less than 40 tons sailing between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland on418W routes approved by the two Customs administrations and to aircraft departing from Customs airports on flights between the two countries. Passengers departing on such routes may have access to duty-free shops where they already exist and where suitable control arrangements are made.
This will mean, in effect, that passengers and crews on these routes will have access to the same duty-free facilities as are allowed for vessels or aircraft departing for other EEC countries. These arrangements are, of course, subject to review in the context of possible future EEC requirements for restictions on duty-free stores in this field.