asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce of he will state the estimated amounts involved in the higher trade margins provided for in the Budget for (a) cigarettes, and (b) beer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cigarettes and Bear Trade Margins.
The higher trade margins on cigarettes provided for in the Budget amounted to about ¼d. on each packet of 20 cigarettes. As I indicated in reply to a question on 5th June, 1957, I am not in position to calculate the aggregate amount involved in this higher margin.
Because the amount of the extra excise duty chargeable on beer varies according to the specific gravity of the different beers, it is not possible to estimate the amount of the higher trade margin included in any increased prices charged for beer subsequent to the Budget.