Written question asked by Jacqui Lait (Conservative) on Wednesday, 29 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 April 2000. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Tuesday, 4 April 2000 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the report by Martin Taylor on the Government's strategy to combat tobacco smuggling concluded about (a) the significance of the difference in the levels of tobacco taxation between the United Kingdom and other nations and (b) the likelihood, without a closer alignment of national tobacco tax levels, of other measures to combat smuggling having a substantial effect.

Answer: Mrs. Lait: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the report by Martin Taylor on the Government's strategy to combat tobacco smuggling concluded about (a) the significance of the difference in the levels of tobacco taxation between the United Kingdom and other nations and (b) the likelihood, without a closer alignment of national tobacco tax levels, of other measures to combat smuggling having a substantial effect. [117505] Dawn Primarolo: Martin Taylor's advice to the Chancellor was personal and confidential. It would therefore not be appropriate to disclose his advice. The Government paper "Tackling Tobacco Smuggling" dated March 2000, sets out details of recommendations made by Martin Taylor on how to tackle tobacco smuggling. A copy of the paper has been placed in the Library. In this paper it was noted that a very substantial proportion of cigarettes smuggled into the UK come from places outside the EU where duty is negligible. Bringing cigarette duty rates closer to those of other EU member states would be unlikely to deter this smuggling.

Secondary information