§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what study has been made of the opportunities for cross-border shopping for people living in coastal areas following the abolition of EC frontier controls; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that people in inland areas are able to take advantage of the lower prices for goods on which duty will no longer be paid available in other member states of the Community.
§ Sir John CopeAgreement has been reached for intra-EC duty free sales to continue after 1992, but all other purchases by private individuals for their personnel use will be subject to VAT and excise duty in the member state where they are sold. It is difficult to anticipate the extent to which these opportunities will be taken up.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forecast has been made of the increase in each country in the amount of cross-border shopping between the United Kingdom and France, in respect of goods which will be free of duty from January 1993.
§ Sir John CopeNo increases are expected in cross-border shopping from the continuation of intra-EC duty free sales after 1992. All other purchases by private individuals for their personal use will be subject to VAT and excise duty in the member state in which they are sold.