§ Mr. StunellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the draft European Union Energy Products Directive on United Kingdom manufacturers, retailers and consumers; and if she will make a statement. [25758]
§ Dawn PrimaroloI have been asked to reply as the Minister responsible.
667WI refer my hon. Friend to the Customs and Excise memorandum submitted to the Select Committee on European Legislation in May 1997, entitled "Explanatory Memorandum on European Communities Legislation: Proposal for a Council Directive Restructuring the Community Framework for the Taxation of Energy Products", and the supplementary memorandum submitted to the same Committee on 10 December 1997. The former contains details of the financial implications of the draft Energy Products Directive, and the latter outlines the Government's position.