asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of tax collected on tobacco, cigarettes, spirits, beer, stout and petrol in each of the years from 1972 to 1977.

The answer is in the from of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Net Receipts of Customs and Excise Duty*

*The figures shown do not include receipts from value added tax. Particulars of receipts from this tax in respect of the commodities mentioned are not maintained separately.

†The bulk of the tobacco revenue is derived from raw leaf imported for manufacture into cigarettes, pipe tobaccos and other products. Separate receipts are not available in respect of these manufactured products.

‡Due to the introduction of the new financial year as from 1st January, 1975 the period covered here comprises the nine months from 1st April, 1974 to 31st December, 1974.

Could the Taoiseach give the figures for 1972 and 1977?

Tobacco, including cigarettes, 1972, £53.3 million; 1977, budget estimate, £103.4 million. Spirits, 1972, £28 million; estimate, 1977, £68.5 million. Beer and stout, 1972, £38.6 million; estimate, 1977, £103.6 million. Petrol, 1972, £42.6 million; estimate, 1977, £109.5 million.

38.

asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue receipts in the current financial year in respect of increased prices of commodities subject to VAT.

While the Deputy's question uses the term, "commodities subject to VAT" I assume that he has in mind all goods and services liable to VAT, since many services, such as car repairs and hotel meals, involve the supply of goods. The estimate of VAT receipts in the current year is £334 million. Of this amount, about £40 million relates to increases in prices of goods and services compared with last year.

Would I be right in assuming that in his budget estimates the Minister for Finance calculated that this increase would be forthcoming in respect of revenue due to price increases which were anticipated?

The estimate for the current year shows an increase of £80.5 million or 31.7 per cent over the 1976 yield. It is estimated that about £40 million of that is related to price rises, and it is based on the assumption of an average price increase of 15 per cent.

Therefore while the Minister talks about the economy stabilising, he is really budgeting for a 15 per cent increase all round in prices?

There are other factors also: there is the increase in the volume of consumption, the transfer of increased expenditure from lower to higher taxed items and increased efficiency of collection.