§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions have taken place within the European and Financial Council of the European Economic Communities on, and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards, harmonisation of the structure of excise duties on alcoholic drinks; and if he will take steps to publicise these proposals in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Brooke[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986]: The Council of Ministers last discussed the harmonisation of the structure of the excise duties on alcoholic drinks in 1981. The Government consider that the proposed directives would need some amendment before they were acceptable to the United Kingdom. The draft directives have been subject to parliamentary scrutiny and relevant trade interests have been widely consulted. No further special publicity measures are considered necessary.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions have taken place within the Economic and Financial Council of the European Economic Communities on, and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards, a proposal concerning the harmonisation of the structure of excise on mineral oils; and if he will take steps to publicise it in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Brooke[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986]: A proposal for a directive was issued by the Commission in 1973 but has never been discussed by the Council of Ministers. The Government consider that the draft would require a number of changes to bring it up to date and to make it acceptable to the United Kingdom. The proposal has been the subject of parliamentary scrutiny and of extensive discussion with trade interests in the past. No further special publicity measures are considered necessary.
§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions have taken place within the Economic and Financial Council of the European Economic Communities on, and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards, proposals for a Council decision providing for a stand-still ensuring no introduction of new excise duties which give rise to border formalities; and if he will take steps to publicise them in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter Brooke[pursuant to his reply, 16 June 1986]: The Government consider that this proposal is closely linked to the general question of indirect tax approximation which is currently under consideration in the Council of Economic and Finance Ministers. The Government's view is that it would not be appropriate for the Council to take a decision on this draft directive until its position on the wider issue had been settled.
The process of parliamentary scrutiny has begun; the proposal has stimulated a number of representations from interested trade bodies. No special publicity measures are considered necessary.