§ Mr. GillTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the harmonisation of liquor duties with other EU countries. [59830]
§ Dawn PrimaroloMember States are free to set excise duty rates at the levels they feel are appropriate to their own particular circumstances, subject only to the agreed minimum rates. The Government believe that there should be a levelling up of the minimum rates of excise duty on beer and wine but recognise that progress is likely to be in the long term. The mechanism for achieving this aim is through the European Commission's biennial reviews of the minimum rates of excise duties. The Commission's report on alcohol minimum rates, due by 31 December 1996, is awaited.