Does the right hon. Gentleman think that one problem with the Liberal amendment is that it would prevent any decrease in, or indeed the removal of, the escalator over the next three years?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that one problem with the Liberal amendment is that it would prevent any decrease in, or indeed the removal of, the escalator over the next three years?

No. The hon. Gentleman walked into the Chamber just two minutes ago, although the debate has been going on for 90 minutes, so I will not give way to him. I think the public finances will be in better shape because of the Government's fiscal stimulus, and I think the...

No. The hon. Gentleman walked into the Chamber just two minutes ago, although the debate has been going on for 90 minutes, so I will not give way to him. I think the public finances will be in better shape because of the Government's fiscal stimulus, and I think the...

This debate is about whether one is a tax cutter or not. I am a tax cutter, unlike the official Opposition, who support the Liberals' amendment. I oppose the amendment because I am an unashamed tax cutter. I honestly believe that cutting tax is the best way to stimulate economic...

This debate is about whether one is a tax cutter or not. I am a tax cutter, unlike the official Opposition, who support the Liberals' amendment. I oppose the amendment because I am an unashamed tax cutter. I honestly believe that cutting tax is the best way to stimulate economic...

No, I will not. [Interruption.]

No, I will not. [Interruption.]

Local authorities, of course, could reduce the council tax as a result of having collected more money from parking charges and so on. Does the hon. Gentleman have any idea which tax his party would reduce to balance out the 2.5 per cent. VAT increase that it wants? Alternatively, would...

Local authorities, of course, could reduce the council tax as a result of having collected more money from parking charges and so on. Does the hon. Gentleman have any idea which tax his party would reduce to balance out the 2.5 per cent. VAT increase that it wants? Alternatively, would...

I am grateful to you, Sir Michael. Does the Economic Secretary agree that cutting taxes was perhaps the most effective fiscal stimulus, that tax cuts stimulate demand, and that the tax cut is working rather well? Will he therefore put back to 1 June the date of the changeover from...

I am grateful to you, Sir Michael. Does the Economic Secretary agree that cutting taxes was perhaps the most effective fiscal stimulus, that tax cuts stimulate demand, and that the tax cut is working rather well? Will he therefore put back to 1 June the date of the changeover from...

No. The hon. Gentleman has just walked into the Chamber.

No. The hon. Gentleman has just walked into the Chamber.

The hon. Gentleman disagrees with some well respected Conservative Front Benchers, who felt that cutting VAT was the best fiscal stimulus possible and said so quite openly. When the Minister winds up, will he say what he thinks the consequences for public finances and jobs would be if the fiscal...

The hon. Gentleman disagrees with some well respected Conservative Front Benchers, who felt that cutting VAT was the best fiscal stimulus possible and said so quite openly. When the Minister winds up, will he say what he thinks the consequences for public finances and jobs would be if the fiscal...

Is there not a case for pushing the date back rather than bringing it forward—perhaps to 1 June, which might have electoral as well as commercial benefits?

Is there not a case for pushing the date back rather than bringing it forward—perhaps to 1 June, which might have electoral as well as commercial benefits?