Thirteenth opposition day debate (part one). Main question negatived on division (236 to 301). Amendment agreed to on division (307 to 239). Main question, as amended, agreed to.

Thirteenth opposition day debate (part one). Main question negatived on division (236 to 301). Amendment agreed to on division (307 to 239). Main question, as amended, agreed to.

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that point. With the new policy prepared, how could the shadow Chancellor's plan possibly fail? An interview round was done on Sunday, a press conference was booked for Monday, and an Opposition day was planned for today—I believe by moving aside...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that point. With the new policy prepared, how could the shadow Chancellor's plan possibly fail? An interview round was done on Sunday, a press conference was booked for Monday, and an Opposition day was planned for today—I believe by moving aside...

This has been a helpful debate. There is little doubt that the cost of living and the rising price of fuel are difficult issues that affect all our constituents. I thank my hon. Friends who raised issues from their constituencies, in particular my hon. Friends the Members for Worcester (Mr...

This has been a helpful debate. There is little doubt that the cost of living and the rising price of fuel are difficult issues that affect all our constituents. I thank my hon. Friends who raised issues from their constituencies, in particular my hon. Friends the Members for Worcester (Mr...

I agree with the Financial Secretary that we have had a good debate this afternoon. My hon. Friends the Members for Ludlow (Mr. Dunne) and for Braintree (Mr. Newmark) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) have highlighted some of the issues for business caused by...

I agree with the Financial Secretary that we have had a good debate this afternoon. My hon. Friends the Members for Ludlow (Mr. Dunne) and for Braintree (Mr. Newmark) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) have highlighted some of the issues for business caused by...

Before I deal with new clause 4, let me say a few words about Government amendment No. 2 and return to the comments made by the Financial Secretary earlier. As he said, on my debut on the Front Bench in Committee, he generously agreed to amend the Bill to require...

Before I deal with new clause 4, let me say a few words about Government amendment No. 2 and return to the comments made by the Financial Secretary earlier. As he said, on my debut on the Front Bench in Committee, he generously agreed to amend the Bill to require...

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. I will deal with some of these points in more detail in a few moments. HMRC’s standard target is 21 days —15 working days. There may well be circumstances in which additional time is necessary, but at the moment there are regularly...

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. I will deal with some of these points in more detail in a few moments. HMRC’s standard target is 21 days —15 working days. There may well be circumstances in which additional time is necessary, but at the moment there are regularly...

I do not intend to detain the House and impede the speedy progress that we have achieved so far. I am grateful for the Financial Secretary’s comments about new clause 1 and the fact that he accepts the principle behind it. Indeed, in his letter to my hon. Friend the...

I do not intend to detain the House and impede the speedy progress that we have achieved so far. I am grateful for the Financial Secretary’s comments about new clause 1 and the fact that he accepts the principle behind it. Indeed, in his letter to my hon. Friend the...

In the continuing debate about these matters, and especially in respect of the definition of a disabled person, the Paymaster General has made great play of the fact that a consultation process was held two years ago and that a particular answer was reached. I shall return to that in...

In the continuing debate about these matters, and especially in respect of the definition of a disabled person, the Paymaster General has made great play of the fact that a consultation process was held two years ago and that a particular answer was reached. I shall return to that in...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. During the Bill’s passage through the House, people have asked repeatedly, ““Why would anyone set up a trust? It must be a mechanism for tax avoidance.”” They have not appreciated that there are non-tax reasons for setting up a trust. Moreover, why are...

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. During the Bill’s passage through the House, people have asked repeatedly, ““Why would anyone set up a trust? It must be a mechanism for tax avoidance.”” They have not appreciated that there are non-tax reasons for setting up a trust. Moreover, why are...

I think that the Paymaster General is referring to our exchange on Second Reading, when she argued that Treasury officials were saying that the original provisions in the Bill would not have a particular effect, and I argued that professional advisers were saying that it would have a particular effect....

I think that the Paymaster General is referring to our exchange on Second Reading, when she argued that Treasury officials were saying that the original provisions in the Bill would not have a particular effect, and I argued that professional advisers were saying that it would have a particular effect....

My right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) makes an excellent point. The Paymaster General’s response suggests that the original drafting was poor; there was certainly much uncertainty and the amendments could have resolved the matter. However, if the answer is none, why did we go through all...

My right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) makes an excellent point. The Paymaster General’s response suggests that the original drafting was poor; there was certainly much uncertainty and the amendments could have resolved the matter. However, if the answer is none, why did we go through all...

I give way again to my colleague on the Treasury Committee.

I give way again to my colleague on the Treasury Committee.

My hon. Friend may be right, albeit rather inelegantly. I am not entirely sure what the explanation is; perhaps the Paymaster General will enlighten us later.

My hon. Friend may be right, albeit rather inelegantly. I am not entirely sure what the explanation is; perhaps the Paymaster General will enlighten us later.