Alcohol (Illegal Resale) (Hansard, 25 May 1994)

§ Mr. Colvin
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to publicise the telephone hotline to which members of the public may report the illegal resale of personal imports of alcoholic liquor; and if he will make a statement.

§ Sir John Cope
The launch of the anti-bootlegging hotline on 27 April was extensively reported in the national and trade press and on television. Customs and I will continue to publicise the hotline—0800 901 901—in the media, at trade meetings and by the use of posters, leaflets and other publicity material.

§ Mr. Colvin
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many prosecutions have taken place since 1 January 1993 of people illegally importing and reselling alcoholic liquor in England and Wales; how many resulted in fines or imprisonment; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many prosecutions have taken place since 1 January 1993 of people illegally importing and reselling alcoholic liquor in Northern Ireland; how many resulted in fines or imprisonment; and if he will make a statement.

§ Sir John Cope
In England and Wales customs and Excise have successfully prosecuted 56 people since 1 January 1993 for illegally importing and reselling alcoholic liquors in the United Kingdom. The courts awarded prison sentences against two people and fines of up to £8,000 against 43 people.
No prosecutions have yet been brought in Northern Ireland.

§ Sir Keith Speed
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received to date about the importation of cheap alcoholic drinks from the continent; and what replies he has sent.

§ Sir John Cope
I have received a number of representations on this subject. The replies I have sent have answered the questions raised, offered clarification of the issues involved and set out the Government's position, as appropriate.

Proportion of income paid in income tax and social security contributions ^* Marginal rates of income tax and social security contributions ^*

£20,000 gross earnings £40,000 gross earnings £20,000 gross earnings £40,000 gross earnings

France^1,2

Income tax and social security contributions 46.6 49.9 51.4 69.1

United Kingdom^2,3

Income tax and social security contributions 31.6 38.1 44.4 50.4

Japan⁴

Income tax and social security contributions 29.5 45.1 41.7 63.8

Germany^1,2,5

Income tax and social security contributions 29.1 34.0 48.1 33.3

United States of America^1,6

Income tax and social security contributions 23.7 31.0 34.30 38.90

^*Includes both employees' and employers' contributions.

¹Figures for 1993. Earnings converted into local currencies using purchasing power parities.

²No local income taxes.

³Income tax plus national insurance contributions less child benefit expressed as a percentage of earnings. The married man is assumed to be in receipt of the full married couple's allowance.

	Proportion of income paid in income tax and social security contributions ^*	Marginal rates of income tax and social security contributions ^*
	£20,000 gross earnings	£40,000 gross earnings	£20,000 gross earnings	£40,000 gross earnings
France^1,2
Income tax and social security contributions	46.6	49.9	51.4	69.1
United Kingdom^2,3
Income tax and social security contributions	31.6	38.1	44.4	50.4
Japan⁴
Income tax and social security contributions	29.5	45.1	41.7	63.8
Germany^1,2,5
Income tax and social security contributions	29.1	34.0	48.1	33.3
United States of America^1,6
Income tax and social security contributions	23.7	31.0	34.30	38.90
^*Includes both employees' and employers' contributions.
¹Figures for 1993. Earnings converted into local currencies using purchasing power parities.
²No local income taxes.
³Income tax plus national insurance contributions less child benefit expressed as a percentage of earnings. The married man is assumed to be in receipt of the full married couple's allowance.