§ Mr. SimsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent action Her Majesty's Government have taken to press for the removal of discrimination in rates of alcohol tax and value-added tax on spirituous beverages in Portugal.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkAt the Government's request the European Commission made a formal approach in May to the Portuguese authorities about discriminatory rates of VAT and alcohol tax. The Commission is holding talks with the Portuguese in Lisbon in early November to discuss this issue.
§ Mr. SimsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent action Her Majesty's Government have taken(a) to press for the removal of Greek value added tax discrimination against, inter alia, Scotch whisky in favour of certain locally produced spirits and (b) to ensure that the Greek Government complies with its previous commitment to remove all remaining discriminatory taxes on spirits with effect from 1 January 1989.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe European Commission's infringement proceedings against the Greek Government are still in progress in the European Court and we continue to keep a close watch on developments. In addition, the Government made an official request to the European Commission earlier this year to monitor taxation measures in Greece after the abolition of the Greek "special consumption" and "regulatory" tax on 1 January 1989.