Financial Resolutions, 1978: Financial Statement, Budget, 1978. - Excise duties
In the context of assisting small business, I also intend to introduce shortly a scheme which will readjust the incidence of excise duty on beer so that the smaller producers will bear a somewhat lesser burden of duty while the larger producers will pay somewhat more. There will be a net cost to the Exchequer of about £300,000 this year.
The purpose of this scheme, which has the support of all the brewers, is to help offset certain disadvantages which smaller producers can encounter, particularly in the restricted home market. This should benefit employment in the industry as well as contributing to consumer choice.