HC Deb 09 February 1993 vol 218 cc538-9W
Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has for the financial year 1993–94 of the losses to the revenue arising from the disparities in taxation on alcohol and tobacco in the other countries of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.

Sir John Cope

We have no reason to change the estimate given in the 1992 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" that in 1993–94, there will be a total revenue loss to the United Kingdom Exchequer of around £250 million from increased cross-border shopping. This arises from the abolition of duty-paid allowances within the EC from 1 January 1993.