§ Mr. George Gardinerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the discussions between Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and representatives of the wine and spirit trade on a credit period for payment of excise duty, following the undertaking given by the Financial Secretary on 19th May 1977, and on their outcome.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonCustoms and Excise has held a number of meetings with representatives of the industry at which the practical implications of deferring the excise duties on wines and spirits have been examined, without prejudice to a ministerial decision on whether such deferment should be introduced. My right hon. Friend will be considering the matter further in the light of his overall Budget strategy.