§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his latest estimate of the levels of receipts from duty on beer lost to the Exchequer arising from duty-paid imports of beer from elsewhere in the single market;
(2) what is his latest estimate of the level of duty-paid imports of beer from elsewhere in the EC as a percentage of the take-home beer market.
§ Sir John CopeThe revenue loss arising from personal importations of duty-paid beer is difficult to estimate as it depends upon the quantity of beer that would otherwise have been purchased in the United Kingdom. The Brewers Society's latest statistics suggest that since 1 January 1993 personal imports of duty-paid beer account for 9.4 per cent. of the take-home trade compared with 8.4 per cent. a year ago. Take home sales represent one fifth of the United Kingdom beer market. Customs are studying the figures in consultation with the Brewers Society.