§ Mr. Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many matches were exported to France during each of the last five years; and what custom and excise duties and value added tax they incur in France.
§ Mr. SproatThe information is as follows:
Match Exports to France 1976–80 (Short Standards) number 1976 2,175 1977 1,162 1978 650 1979 746 1980 6,788 Source:
Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK, SITC (R1 and R2) 899.32.
Notes:
One short standard=7,200 matches.
There are no import or excise duties due on matches imported into France from the UK which are of UK manufacture or are in free circulation in the Community. Value added tax is levied at the standard rate of 17.6 per cent Matches are also subject to a manufacturing tax when made in France, or on import, according to the following tariff: