§ Mr. Roperasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield in 1978–79, based on the growth in earnings, prices and output in the latest published Treasury forecast, or on other reasonable assumptions, of increasing, from April 1978, the excise duty on tobacco products to obtain, with VAT, a price increase on all tobacco products equivalent to (a) 2p per packet of 20 cigarettes and (b) 4p per packet of 20 cigarettes.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonIt is estimated that the additional revenue would be about (a) £85 million and (b) £165 million in a full year. It would be contrary to practice to give estimates for 1978–79 before the Budget.