§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if ferries en route to France via the Channel Islands will after 1999 be able to sell duty free goods. [48756]
§ Dawn PrimaroloYes. The Channel Islands are excluded from the fiscal territory of the European Community so journeys to and from the Channel Islands and an EU Member State are not affected by the abolition of intra-EU duty free sales from 30 June 1999.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if ferries which sail out of EU waters and immediately return will be able to sell duty free goods after 1999. [48757]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe European Commission has set out in a working document its view on the arrangements which should apply to sales on board ships following the abolition of intra-EU duty-free sales after 30 June 1999. They express the view that duty-free sales of goods to be carried away will not be allowed on intra-EU voyages—even if part of a ship's voyage is in international waters. Duty-free sales of goods for consumption on board will continue to be governed by the national provisions of member states until the Council adopts Community provisions on stores for boats and aircraft. Commission chaired discussions at official level are underway to work out the detail of these arrangements.