WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1237/98 by Allan MACARTNEY to the Commission. Insurance Premium Tax in the United Kingdom
C 386/98 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 11. 12. 98 (98/C 386/136) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1237/98 by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Insurance Premium Tax in the United Kingdom Has the Commission considered the impact of higher rate Insurance Premium Tax on the electrical rental and retail sector, the travel industry and the motor vehicle sector in the United Kingdom? Insurance Premium Tax was introduced to avoid so-called value shifting. Has the Commission assessed the impact on the travel insurance market by the introduction of higher rate Insurance Premium Tax where there appears to be no possibility of value shifting? Is the Commission aware that since the introduction of this higher rate tax there has been a decrease in the number of people taking out travel insurance? Furthermore, is the Commission aware that higher rate Insurance Premium Tax has led to an increase in non- insurance based warranties for motor vehicles and thus lower protection for car owners in the UK? Is the higher rate Insurance Premium Tax for these sectors in conformity with the principle of freedom to provide services and EC competition law? Has the Commission responded to complaints about the Insurance Premium Tax by the affected sectors and if so, what has been the response? Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1998) In 1997 the Commission received several complaints concerning the tax on insurance premiums in the travel industry and the electrical retail sector, and these are currently under examination, particularly in the light of Article 92 of the EC Treaty. The rates of the tax were increased by the United Kingdom authorities on 1 April 1997 as part of the effort to combat VAT fraud. Following discussions between the United Kingdom authorities and the Commission in late 1997, the United Kingdom authorities informed the Commission, by letter of 6 May 1998, that the increased tax on insurance premiums would be extended to all trades selling travel insurance. This measure will take effect on 1 August 1998. In the Commissionís view, this decision removes the discriminatory effect of the increased tax on travel insurance introduced in 1997 and any aid it might have given to trades not subject to the tax. The Commission is still considering the measures to increase the insurance tax on electrical goods. The Commission will reply to the complainants as soon as it has come to a conclusion on the effects of the measures in question. (98/C 386/137) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1247/98 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Refusal to issue passports to Croatian refugees During the war in the former Yugoslavia refugees from all the constituent states arrived in Greece and many of them are still in the country today. Under new legislation in Greece they are obliged to obtain a Green Employment Cardí if they wish to find work and remain there. In order to obtain this card, these refugees must provide evidence of their identity by presenting their passports