HL Deb 20 February 1992 vol 535 c53WA
Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is any proposal by the European Commission to tax cider on the same basis as wine, and if so, what is their response.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, current Commission proposals place cider with either still or sparkling wine for taxation purposes. The proposals have yet to come before the Council of Ministers and their adoption would require unanimity. The Government have already assured the UK cider industry that it will support their case for treating cider and perry as a separate tax category.