§ 37. Sir Anthony Royleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the duty-free limits, in £ sterling terms, applicable for goods imported by travellers entering the United Kingdom from the European Community, Commonwealth and foreign countries; what are the dates during the past 25 years when the limits have been increased; and if he will now bring the current limits into line with the rise in the cost of living during the same period.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneAs regards tobacco and spirits, these are limited by quantity; and therefore the limits cannot be expressed in monetary terms.
As regards other goods, prior to 1968 there was no overall value limit; the concessions were related to amounts of duty which could be waived. From 1968–1970 there was an overall value limit of £5 from all destinations. From 1970–1972 this was increased to £10. Thereafter, following our accession to the European Community in 1973, there was a limit of £50 for travellers from the EC, and £10 for other travellers. In 1979 these limits were increased to £120 and £28 respectively.
Since 1968 average prices have risen by a factor of 4.9 times and my hon. Friend will therefore see that the present limits have not fallen behind the rise in the cost of living. They are governed by Community legislation and 309W the United Kingdom cannot vary them unilaterally; they are kept under review but I cannot say when member States might agree to any further increase.