asked the Minister for Finance the returns to the Exchequer from taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and cars this year; and if these figures equate with those expected.

The details of the receipts from these goods are in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate with the Official Report. The receipts from tobacco products are broadly in line with the Budget estimate, but the revenue from the other commodities has fallen short of expectations.

Following is the statement:

The latest available receipts of excise duty and estimates of VAT from the goods are as follows:

The figures in respect of tobacco products and alcoholic drinks relate to the period to 31 August and those in respect of motor cars to 31 July, 1982.

I would have put the question down for written reply if I felt the Minister was not going to give the information to the House today. Would the Minister please give the information I requested in the question?

I have given it in relation to the tabular statement which has about nine different figures in it. That is why it is in a tabular form.

Where is the statement?

It will be circulated with the Official Report.

I have not yet received it.

It is circulated following the reply to the question.

As I have not got the information the Minister has circulated could he not call out the figures?

It is not the usual practice, as it is a tabular statement, but if the Deputy wishes I will quickly give her the figures. In relation to tobacco products there was £131.2 million from excise duty and £29 million from VAT, a total of 160.2 million. From alcoholic drinks, beer, spirits, wines, cider and perry £200.1 million was received from excise duty and £84 million from VAT, a total of £284.1 million. From motor cars the excise duty was £80 million and the VAT £47 million, a total of £127 million. Roughly speaking, on the figures I have given, which are up to 31 August in respect of tobacco products and alcoholic drinks and to 31 July in respect of motor cars, in regard to alcoholic drinks, where the reduction is mainly accounted for because of a fall-off in beer consumption, the revenue was about £6 million excise duty and £4 million VAT and on motor cars about £10 million excise duty and £10 million VAT, on budgetary expectations.

By what proportion does the revenue on alcoholic drinks fall short of the expected targets? Is it 10 per cent less or 20 per cent less or what is the figure?

I assume the Deputy could make it up himself. It is £10 million out of £284 million.

Is £10 million the shortfall?

Yes. I will give those figures. They are £6 million on excise and £4 million on VAT and it is mainly on the beer. The revenue from wines and spirits are according to expectations.