Timing Of Abolition Of Duty Free

EDM number 1339 in 1997-98, proposed by Philip Hammond on 18/05/1998.

That this House calls on the Government as President of the European Union to take the lead at the ECOFIN meeting on Wednesday 20th May to postpone the abolition of duty free in June 1999 until a full study of the economic and practical implications has been carried out, as supported by a number of other member states; is dismayed at the feeble response of the Financial Secretary in the debate on duty free on 6th May when she merely said that the Government would not 'stand in the way' of such a study; recognises the importance of the duty free trade in generating income and employment for airports, airlines, ports, ferry operators and their supply industries across the country; fears that the abolition of duty free will also increase the incentive to avoid duty by smuggling; and calls on honourable Members representing airports and seaports to support the postponement of abolition until such a study has taken place.

This motion has been signed by a total of 24 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.