(Except clauses 1 to 3 and 16 to 53 and - schedules 4 to 11) - Clause 5 - Alcoholic liquor duties
Finance Bill
4:30 pm
Mr Richard Ottaway (Croydon South, Conservative)
I welcome you to the Chair, Mr. Hood. I endorse the remarks made by the hon. Member for Torridge and West Devon and my right hon. Friend the Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack). They made their points succinctly.
In truth, the argument boils down to two fundamental points. First, pre-existing contracts are in place. If the 12-month moratorium that has been suggested were allowed to come into effect, the small producers would not be put at a disadvantage. Secondly, the position of wine producers has not yet been addressed, and the small cider manufacturers feel that that is unfair. They argue that the regulations have been in place for 25 years and, if the wine producers are entitled to consultation before the rules are changed, they should have the same entitlement. My right hon. Friend the Member for Fylde made the point about consultation. Under the circumstances, we hope that the Financial Secretary has listened to the points that have been made.