Written question asked by Baroness Teather (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 15 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 November 2004. It was answered by John Healey (Labour) on Thursday, 18 November 2004 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost of removing the VAT levy on all over-the-counter contraceptives; and what discussions (a) he, (b) his officials and (c) Ministers in his Department have had with the Department of Health about this. - Inc ref to 19 October 2004, 425 c578W.

Answer: Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of removing the VAT levy on all over-the-counter contraceptives; and what discussions (a) he, (b) his officials and (c) Ministers in his Department have had with the Department of Health about this. [198992] John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General to the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) on 19 October 2004, Official Report, column 578W. Treasury Ministers and officials meet their Department of Health counterparts regularly to discuss a wide range of issues.

Secondary information