To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Myners on 1 March (WA 318), whether they will estimate the cost to HM Treasury of introducing a zero duty rate on beers of 2.8 per cent ABV and below.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Myners on 1 March (WA 318), whether they will estimate the cost to HM Treasury of introducing a zero duty rate on beers of 2.8 per cent ABV and below.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had concerning the proposal to levy a lower duty on cask beer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had concerning the proposal to levy a lower duty on cask beer; and if he will make a statement.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their forecast of the cost to HM Treasury of introducing zero duty on beers of 2.8 per cent ABV and below.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their forecast of the cost to HM Treasury of introducing zero duty on beers of 2.8 per cent ABV and below.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will alter the relative levels of taxation of beer and spirits.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will alter the relative levels of taxation of beer and spirits.

I did not say that.

I did not say that.

He answers to the Prime Minister, as all Ministers do. I think that the hon. Gentleman was at the event organised by the all-party beer group last year or the year before last on the publication of its report. Five Ministers attended that debate to discuss our roles in supporting...

He answers to the Prime Minister, as all Ministers do. I think that the hon. Gentleman was at the event organised by the all-party beer group last year or the year before last on the publication of its report. Five Ministers attended that debate to discuss our roles in supporting...

I said that there needs to be co-ordination.

I said that there needs to be co-ordination.

Well, I apologise if the hon. Gentleman did not, but he tried to indicate that it should not be the role of many Departments to consider the issue. Alcohol is obviously of great concern in terms of health—

Well, I apologise if the hon. Gentleman did not, but he tried to indicate that it should not be the role of many Departments to consider the issue. Alcohol is obviously of great concern in terms of health—

To return to the point that this is a general election issue, I am highly in favour of that. It is right that issues close to our communities should be discussed in public, especially at general election time. However, I find it interesting that the hon. Gentleman did not mention...

To return to the point that this is a general election issue, I am highly in favour of that. It is right that issues close to our communities should be discussed in public, especially at general election time. However, I find it interesting that the hon. Gentleman did not mention...

I will give way briefly to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley.

I will give way briefly to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley.

I will deal with that question. I just thought that it was interesting that the Opposition did not deal with it when we touched on it.

I will deal with that question. I just thought that it was interesting that the Opposition did not deal with it when we touched on it.

The Minister is in power. He can say something about taxation. What is he going to do?

The Minister is in power. He can say something about taxation. What is he going to do?

It is about price.

It is about price.

We will look with interest at the budgets and the Opposition parties' responses to what the Chancellor has to say. Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor, but he listens to representations from the different sectors. His deliberations will be set against the public finances when the Budget is decided...

We will look with interest at the budgets and the Opposition parties' responses to what the Chancellor has to say. Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor, but he listens to representations from the different sectors. His deliberations will be set against the public finances when the Budget is decided...

I echo my hon. Friend's point. The Minister is under scrutiny, not us. When the election is called, he will understand in more detail what our plans are. However, for the record, we have made it clear that we will increase taxation levels on alcopops and spirits. Beer drinkers will...

I echo my hon. Friend's point. The Minister is under scrutiny, not us. When the election is called, he will understand in more detail what our plans are. However, for the record, we have made it clear that we will increase taxation levels on alcopops and spirits. Beer drinkers will...

Some of us voted for it.

Some of us voted for it.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his experience. We will have those discussions. I understand that the Scottish Government are having difficulties introducing minimum pricing. We will wait to see what happens. The British pub is important. Earlier, we discussed the definition of a community pub. From my...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his experience. We will have those discussions. I understand that the Scottish Government are having difficulties introducing minimum pricing. We will wait to see what happens. The British pub is important. Earlier, we discussed the definition of a community pub. From my...

It is a hot debate in Scotland at present. I realise that we have only a few minutes to go, but surely we do not want to reinvent the wheel. I encourage the Minister to talk to his colleagues and look at the debates taking place in Scotland so that...

It is a hot debate in Scotland at present. I realise that we have only a few minutes to go, but surely we do not want to reinvent the wheel. I encourage the Minister to talk to his colleagues and look at the debates taking place in Scotland so that...

Price is an issue. We have been considering a variety of the issues. The Department of Health is considering minimum pricing. I understand that it is an issue in Scotland.

Price is an issue. We have been considering a variety of the issues. The Department of Health is considering minimum pricing. I understand that it is an issue in Scotland.

Indeed, but the overwhelming majority voted for the ban. Sky TV is important, particularly to me in my role as sports Minister. Like the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East, I have met Sky and been told that it will change how it handles rateable value. We think that that will...

Indeed, but the overwhelming majority voted for the ban. Sky TV is important, particularly to me in my role as sports Minister. Like the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East, I have met Sky and been told that it will change how it handles rateable value. We think that that will...