Written question asked by Sam Galbraith (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 1996. It was answered by Phillip Oppenheim (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 November 1996 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: What plans he has to equalise the duty on beer with that applying in other European countries.

Answer: Mr. Galbraith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to equalise the duty on beer with that applying in other European countries; and if he will make a statement. [1166] Mr. Oppenheim: The Government would like to see some movement towards the equalisation of duty rates on beer within the EU through the mechanism of the European Commission's biennial review of the minimum rates of excise duty. The next review is due by the end of 1996. Meanwhile, in reaching his budget decisions, the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes a range of factors into account, including the rates of duty applied by our near neighbours in the European Union.

Secondary information