Beer Smuggling

EDM number 165 in 1993-94, proposed by Alan Meale on 02/12/1993.

That this House views with concern the activities of companies and individuals directly involved in organised smuggling operations connected with the importation into Britain of beer products for resale, which have not either been charged the correct levels of United Kingdom excise duty or tax rates; is alarmed that personal imports including this illegal trade already accounts for 15 per cent. of total 'off' beer sales in Britain, equal to the supplies for approximately 4, 000 average sized pubs, or the actual production of two or more of the major regional brewers; notes that currently half a million people in the United Kingdom are directly employed in beer production, retailing and its distribution, with approximately the same number indirectly in other related operations; notes also that the industry's current total tax payment on its sales, excise duties, VAT and other taxes to the Treasury is approximately ú12 billion per annum; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to recognise the seriousness of such smuggling activities which, unless tackled, will lead to pub and brewery closures in the United Kingdom, loss of jobs, trade, investment, increased prices to the consumer and less revenue to the Exchequer.

This motion has been signed by a total of 136 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.