The Minister has told us that the price of a second-class stamp will be regulated, but that will not reassure people who pay regulated energy bills. What grounds does he have for his assurance that price control will be effective in the case of Royal Mail?

The Minister has told us that the price of a second-class stamp will be regulated, but that will not reassure people who pay regulated energy bills. What grounds does he have for his assurance that price control will be effective in the case of Royal Mail?

The momentum for growth in the UK economy has clearly now run out, and I am glad that the Chancellor will make announcements on growth in the autumn. As he plans for them, will he take account of the International Monetary Fund's view that if there is the prospect of...

The momentum for growth in the UK economy has clearly now run out, and I am glad that the Chancellor will make announcements on growth in the autumn. As he plans for them, will he take account of the International Monetary Fund's view that if there is the prospect of...

This Government have put in place a comprehensive set of tax reliefs for charities and for those who choose to donate to charities. These tax reliefs provide valuable incentives to encourage people to give and provide support to the charity sector. In the UK we are rightly proud of our...

This Government have put in place a comprehensive set of tax reliefs for charities and for those who choose to donate to charities. These tax reliefs provide valuable incentives to encourage people to give and provide support to the charity sector. In the UK we are rightly proud of our...

I am today announcing the Government's intention to introduce in the next Finance Bill a further change to the rules on how groups of companies are taxed when they buy back their issued debt at a discount to the amount borrowed. The further change is in addition to the changes...

I am today announcing the Government's intention to introduce in the next Finance Bill a further change to the rules on how groups of companies are taxed when they buy back their issued debt at a discount to the amount borrowed. The further change is in addition to the changes...

I am today announcing the Government's intention to present to the House of Commons a change to tax rules designed to ensure that both businesses and the Exchequer are protected from the uncertainty of exchange rate movements during the period of a rights issue of shares. This measure will ensure...

I am today announcing the Government's intention to present to the House of Commons a change to tax rules designed to ensure that both businesses and the Exchequer are protected from the uncertainty of exchange rate movements during the period of a rights issue of shares. This measure will ensure...

I am today announcing the Government's intention to present to Parliament as part of Finance Bill 2009 two specific tax changes which will ensure that tax rules and in particular anti-avoidance legislation does not apply unfairly in circumstances arising out of the current turmoil in the financial markets and prevent...

I am today announcing the Government's intention to present to Parliament as part of Finance Bill 2009 two specific tax changes which will ensure that tax rules and in particular anti-avoidance legislation does not apply unfairly in circumstances arising out of the current turmoil in the financial markets and prevent...

Debate on a motion that, for the year ending with 31st March 2009, for expenditure by HM Treasury—""(1) further resources, not exceeding £1,000, be authorised for use as set out in HC 1061, and""(2) a further sum, not exceeding £42,200,000,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, to meet the costs as so set out. Resolved. Ordered that a Bill be brought in on the foregoing resolutions. (Bill 148).

Debate on a motion that, for the year ending with 31st March 2009, for expenditure by HM Treasury—""(1) further resources, not exceeding £1,000, be authorised for use as set out in HC 1061, and""(2) a further sum, not exceeding £42,200,000,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund,...

Yes. As I have set out, we are doing two things under the motion: we are replenishing the Contingencies Fund, which has been used for Bradford & Bingley and the Icelandic banks, and providing the resources for the banks' recapitalisation. I will give a little more detail about that in...

Yes. As I have set out, we are doing two things under the motion: we are replenishing the Contingencies Fund, which has been used for Bradford & Bingley and the Icelandic banks, and providing the resources for the banks' recapitalisation. I will give a little more detail about that in...

Events certainly moved very quickly, and the Government had to respond very quickly. The conclusions that were reached and the precise figures that have been quoted in debate were the outcome of detailed discussions and analysis between the parties to which I have referred. I think that the judgments were...

Events certainly moved very quickly, and the Government had to respond very quickly. The conclusions that were reached and the precise figures that have been quoted in debate were the outcome of detailed discussions and analysis between the parties to which I have referred. I think that the judgments were...

The purpose of this motion is to provide repayment of recent advances from the Contingencies Fund, and resources for the recapitalisation programme announced in recent days. It introduces an out-of-turn supplementary estimate for Her Majesty's Treasury to allow the repayment of the £4.6 billion advanced from the contingencies fund on...

The purpose of this motion is to provide repayment of recent advances from the Contingencies Fund, and resources for the recapitalisation programme announced in recent days. It introduces an out-of-turn supplementary estimate for Her Majesty's Treasury to allow the repayment of the £4.6 billion advanced from the contingencies fund on...

The hon. Gentleman is right about three years. We want to see lending start up again, because it has completely ground to a halt. Last year, there was lending to small businesses and home owners, and we want that to be in place again. As he has rightly said, we...

The hon. Gentleman is right about three years. We want to see lending start up again, because it has completely ground to a halt. Last year, there was lending to small businesses and home owners, and we want that to be in place again. As he has rightly said, we...

We have had a wide-ranging debate, and several points have been made to which I wish to respond. I shall aim to do so briefly, given that I opened the debate. I wish to emphasise again that the motion has two parts. The first part is designed to replenish the...

We have had a wide-ranging debate, and several points have been made to which I wish to respond. I shall aim to do so briefly, given that I opened the debate. I wish to emphasise again that the motion has two parts. The first part is designed to replenish the...

I cannot give way that often, but I will give way to the hon. Gentleman.

I cannot give way that often, but I will give way to the hon. Gentleman.

The hon. Gentleman knows that I returned to the Treasury only 10 days ago. [Hon. Members: ““Hear, hear””] I am grateful to my hon. Friends and others for their support—one or two Opposition Members have made some kind remarks, for which I am grateful. I did not see anything before...

The hon. Gentleman knows that I returned to the Treasury only 10 days ago. [Hon. Members: ““Hear, hear””] I am grateful to my hon. Friends and others for their support—one or two Opposition Members have made some kind remarks, for which I am grateful. I did not see anything before...

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what projections he made for revenue from stamp duty on (a) property and (b) share transactions in each of the last five years; and what projections he has made for each of the next three financial years. - Inc table and refs to...

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what projections he made for revenue from stamp duty on (a) property and (b) share transactions in each of the last five years; and what projections he has made for each of the next three financial years. - Inc table and refs to...

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many companies have taken up the new all employee share ownership scheme; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many companies have taken up the new all employee share ownership scheme; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Oral Statement of 8th November, Official Report, column 317, what the qualifying conditions are, including conditions relating to size, for companies to establish enterprise incentive schemes in order to grant share options up to a company limit of £2.5 million....

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Oral Statement of 8th November, Official Report, column 317, what the qualifying conditions are, including conditions relating to size, for companies to establish enterprise incentive schemes in order to grant share options up to a company limit of £2.5 million....