Taxation: Alcoholic Drinks

Mr. Lansley
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he made of the potential for fiscal incentives to contribute to the promotion of responsible drinking prior to the 2007 Budget; and what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Health on this matter.

Mr. Timms
The Chancellor makes decisions about the appropriate level of excise duty on alcohol at Budget time, taking all relevant factors into consideration. Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings.