§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to the percentage of households paying more in tobacco tax than in income tax; and if he will conduct an inquiry into this area.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[holding answer 1 December 1988]: Sufficiently reliable and up-to-date information is not available to provide an estimate of the numbers requested. While the Government have no plans to conduct an inquiry into this specific issue, tobacco duties are reviewed annually. Their levels are set to strike a careful balance between revenue requirements and health considerations.