§ 32. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much (a) the Excise duty on tobacco, and (b) the retail price index increased between 1974 and 1979.
§ Mr. BiffenIt is not possible to compare Excise duty rates in the two years because the structure of the tobacco duties was radically altered between 1976 and 1978. Receipts from tobacco duties increased by 93 per cent. between 1974 and 1979, while consumption fell slightly; the retail price index increased by 106 per cent. over the same period.