§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met representatives of the spirits industry about current EC proposals to harmonise tax rates on different types of alcoholic beverages.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the outcome of discussions with the drinks industry over EC excise proposals.
§ Sir Hector MonroTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will press for the inclusion in the current EC excise proposals of a mechanism to prevent further increases in tax discrimination against spirits in each member state.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to press for an EC tax harmonisation programme which reduces differentials between alcoholic beverages.
§ Mr. RaffanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he intends to make to the report, 443W "Competition Between Alcoholic Drinks: an Analysis", commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association and the Gin and Vodka Association; and what amendments he intends seeking to the European Commission's proposals on excise tax rates.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardMy right hon. Friend met representatives of the spirits industry to discuss EC proposals for excise duty harmonisation on 1 October 1991. We have since received the industry's report on competition between alcoholic drinks. Treasury Ministers fully understand the case the industry has put forward for a "capping" mechanism to prevent any further discrimination against spirits after 1992. We are now considering how best to respond to the current harmonisation proposals when further discussions resume in Brussels.