LOW VALUE CONSIGNMENT RELIEF FROM VALUE ADDED TAX

That this House notes with profound concern that low value consignment relief which allows personal imports from the Channel Islands to avoid value added tax is having a devastating effect upon specialist high street retailers on mainland Britain; further notes that independent music retailers and specialist health food stores have been particularly badly affected with lost trade in food supplements and herbal remedies alone now totalling over £70 million each year as the Channel Islands' mail order export business continues inexorably to grow; believes that this loophole is no longer justifiable; and invites Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer urgently to review the relief before too many more responsible independent retailers are forced out of business through unfair competition.