§ TAX DEDUCTIONS FROM PAYMENTS TO UN
REGISTERED SUB-CONTRACTORS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
§ Question proposed, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.
§ Mr. CostainAs the Clause formed part of the Budget statement, surely we are to have an explanation of why the Government now propose to delete it. In his Budget Statement, the Chancellor made a point of saying that labour-only sub-contracting was to be stopped, but we now find that the Clause is to be deleted.
Those of us who considered the Construction Industry Contracts Bill were told that this provision was part of the pattern. Are we to assume that the deletion of the Clause means that another Bill cannot be introduced to deal with labour-only sub—contracting until another Finance Bill has been introduced?
1862 Are we to assume from that that, as happened after the last General Election, we are to have a quick Finance Bill after this election and that an appropriate Clause will then be introduced? We are entitled to some information about the Government's intentions.
§ The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Diamond)I am at the service of the Committee and ready to answer any question about any Clause. However, until the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain) rose, I did not know whether there was a question to be answered. I am happy to answer him. It is only right and proper that he should ask me what is to happen under the next Government. I accept that responsibility which he has put on me.
As the hon. Member appreciates, the Clause supports a Bill which, in the circumstances, will not go through Parliament. There is no need for a Finance Bill Resolution and the new Bill, which will be introduced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works to replace the existing Bill, will include the necessary provision of its own. The question of a new early or late Finance Bill does not arise.
§ Mr. CostainI am grateful for that explanation. The right hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. I asked him what would happen if a Labour Government were by misfortune returned to power, because I wanted him to commit himself so that we could know that when we are in power we will have his support.
§ Question put and negatived.
§ Clause 18 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Schedule 3 agreed to.