asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he now expects the European Court of Justice to make its decision on the case presented by the Commission that the United Kingdom should cease to zero rate new house building, gas, electricity, news services and protective clothing for value added tax purposes; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the oral hearing of the infraction case in which the Commission has challenged certain of the United Kingdom's zero ratings will take place on 15 September 1987. A final judgment is generally given three to four months after the conclusion of an oral hearing.