§ 23. Mr. George Rodgersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the cost of petrol at retail level is a consequence of taxation in the United Kingdom and in other member States of the EEC.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to excise duty and VAT, which for the United Kingdom represent about 51 per cent. of the retail price of premium grade petrol. The comparable figure for France is 63 per cent., for West Germany 58 per cent., and for Italy 71 per cent. For the other member States of the EEC the figures are as follows:
Approximate Tax content* (per cent.) Belgium 63 Denmark 63 Ireland 56 Luxembourg 49 Netherlands 61 *Excise duty and VAT as percentages of the retail price of premium grade petrol in each member State of the EEC. The definition of premium may vary.