§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the procedures available for member states to request a European Commission investigation into(a) the impact on business of the abolition of intra-EU duty free and (b) the levels of spirit duty in EU states; whether it is her policy to request such investigations; and if she will make a statement. [29457]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 17 February 1998]: I have been asked to reply.
A European Commission investigation into the impact of abolition of intra-EU duty free is likely only if requested by the Council of Finance Ministers. The Government's position is as set out by the Prime Minister in his reply on 18 December 1997, Official Report, column 265.
The European Commission is already required under the relevant directive to examine the rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages every two years, and report to Council. The current report is overdue.