§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards recent actions by the Government of the Republic of Ireland in respect of the abolition of duty free sales. [43163]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Government have always said they would not oppose a Commission study into the impact of the abolition of intra-EU duty free sales should there be a consensus amongst member states in favour of such a study. This matter was discussed at the ECOFIN Council meeting on 19 May 1998 but there was no consensus in favour of such a study.