A CAMPAIGN against bootleg beer imports from Europe is being taken to the House of Commons this evening. The Bolton-based North West Brewers' and Licensed Retailers' Association claims thousands of regional jobs are threatened by booze smugglers. Nearly 60 North-west MPs from all parties are expected to attend a Commons briefing to highlight the problems facing the pubs and drinks industry.

NWBLRA says 150,000 people work in breweries and pubs in the region - more than are employed in traditional industries such as construction and textiles.

Chairman David Kay, of Blackburn-based brewers Thwaites, says that since the introduction of the Single European Market, so-called "personal" imports of beer into the UK annually now equal the total amount of beer sold each year in Lancashire. He said: "Vans and lorries from the North-west regularly run cross-channel round trips, bringing back to the region cases of duty-free beer and drink for illegal black economy sale.

"Large volumes of beer are entering the country without paying UK duty and undermining pubs as well as clubs and off-licences."

Mr Kay believes a firm timetable is needed for a progressive red uction in UK duty levels to achieve a reasonable convergence with the French duty rate.

"Smuggling of alcohol is a serious problem and it will not go away unless Government takes action," Mr Kay said.

"The Chancellor of the Exchequer is losing duty and legitimate businesses, both large and small, including many self-employed licensees, are being affected."

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