HC Deb 14 April 1980 vol 982 cc518-9W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) by what percentage his proposals for the increases in duties on alcoholic drinks will raise those duties since the date when the previous rates were fixed; and what the increase would be if the changes corresponded to the depreciation in purchasing power of the £ sterling since the same date;

(2) by what percentage the duties on alcoholic drinks would have to be raised beyond the increases proposed in his Budget, in order to yield the cost of an increase in child benefit to £5 per week in a full year instead of £4.75 as proposed; and what would be the approximate further rises in the prices of a pint of beer, a bottle of whisky and a bottle of wine.

Mr. Peter Rees

I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.