Customs and Excise Duties

HC Deb 11 February 1980 vol 978 cc511-2W

Mr. Denzil Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much revenue could be raised by increasing specific Customs and Excise duties in line with (a) the inflation rate for the current financial year and (b) the estimated inflation rate for the next financial year;

(2) what would be the effect on the retail price index of increasing the specific customs and excise duties in line with (a) the inflation rate for the current financial year and (b) the estimated inflation rate for the next financial year.

Mr. Peter Rees

The Government have not published a forecast for either of the periods specified. For estimates of the additional revenue and the effects on the retail prices index from increasing the specific excise duties in line with inflation in the year ending December 1979, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Member for Birmingham. Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 30 January.—[Vol. 977, c. 670–72.]