HC Deb 18 June 1979 vol 968 cc1044-9

Motion made, and Question.

That—

(1) As from 18th June 1979—

  1. (a) section 17 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1975 and Schedule 7 to that Act (higher rate of value added tax) shall cease to have effect; and
  2. (b) in section 9(1) of the Finance Act 1972 (standard rate of value added tax) for the 1045 words "eight per cent." there shall be substituted the words "fifteen per cent."

(2) Sub-paragraph (1)(a) above does not affect Note (7) of Group 9 or item 1 of Group 17 of Schedule 4 to the said Act of 1972 (which contain exceptions from zero-rating expressed by reference to items in Schedule 7 to the said Act of 1975).

(3) Sub-paragraph (1)(b) above does not affect the rate of tax on any supply of telephone services provided by the Post Office or the District Council of Kingston upon Hull by means of their public switched telephone exchange systems, being services in respect of which the Post Office or the Council issue a tax invoice which includes a rental charge for a rental quarter beginning before 1st November 1979.

In this sub-paragraph "tax invoice" has the same meaning as in section 7 of the said Act of 1972.

(4) Where a supply in fact made wholly or partly before the said 18th June, or a supply which, apart from the other provisions of the said section 7, would be treated as so made by subsection (2) or (3) of that section, is treated

under those other provisions as made on or after that date, the person making the supply may account for and pay tax on the supply or, as the case may be, on the relevant part of it as if the rate of tax had not been increased by paragraph (1)(b) above.

(5) Where a person avails himself of sub-paragraph (4) above in relation to a supply in respect of which he is required by regulations to issue a tax invoice, any provision of the regulations requiring the amount of tax chargeable or the rate of tax to be stated in the invoice shall be construed as referring to the amount and rate that apply by virtue of that sub-paragraph.

And it is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution should have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968.—[Sir Geoffrey Howe.]

put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 94 (Ways and Means Motions):—

The House divided: Ayes 304, Noes, 256.

Division No. 10] AYES [10.00 p.m.
Adley, Robert Channon, Paul Glyn, Dr. Alan
Aitken, Jonathan Chapman, Sydney Goodhart Philip
Alexander, Richard Churchill, W. S. Goodhew, Victor
Alison, Michael Clark, Hon. Alan (Plymouth, Sutton) Goodlad, Alastair
Amery, Rt. Hon. Julian Clark, William (Croydon South) Gorst, John
Ancram, Michael Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe) Gow, Ian
Arnold, Tom Clegg, Walter Gower, Sir Raymond
Aspinwall, Jack Cockeram, Eric Gray, Hamish
Atkins, Robert (Preston North) Colvin, Michael Greenway Harry
Baker, Kenneth (St. Marylebone) Cope, John Griffiths, Eldon (Bury St Edmunds)
Baker, Nicholas (North Dorset) Cormack, Patrick Griffiths Peter (Portsmouth N.)
Beaumont-Dark, Anthony Costain, A. P. Grist, Ian
Bell, Ronald Cranborne, Viscount Grylls, Michael
Bendall, Vivian Crouch, David Gummer, John Selwyn
Benyon, Thomas (Abingdon) Dean, Paul (North Somerset) Hamilton, Hon. Archie (Eps'm & Ew'll)
Benyon, W. (Buckingham) Dickens, Geoffrey Hamilton Michael (Salisbury)
Best, Keith Dodsworth, Geoffrey Hampson, Dr. Keith
Bevan, David Gilroy Dorrell, Stephen Hannam, John
Biffen, Rt. Hon. John Dover, Denshore Haselhurst, Alan
Biggs-Davison, John du Cann, Rt. Hon. Edward Hastings, Stephen
Blackburn, John Dunn, Robert (Dartford) Havers, Rt. Hon. Sir Michael
Blaker, Peter Durant, Tony Hawksley, Warren
Body, Richard Dykes, Hugh Hayhoe, Barney
Bonsor, Sir Nicholas Eden, Rt. Hon. Sir John Heddle, John
Boscawen, Hon. Robert Edwards, Rt. Hon. N. (Pembroke) Henderson, Barry
Bottomley, Peter (Woolwich West) Eggar, Timothy Heseltine, Rt. Hon. Michael
Bowden, Andrew Elliott, Sir William Hicks, Robert
Boyson, Dr. Rhodes Emery, Peter Higgins, Terence L.
Braine, Sir Bernard Eyre, Reginald Hill James
Bright, Graham Fairbairn, Nicholas Hogg, Hon. Douglas (Grantham)
Brinton, Timothy Fairgrieve, Russell Holland, Philip (Carlton)
Brittan, Leon Faith, Mrs. Sheila Hooson, Tom
Brocklebank-Fowler, Christopher Farr, John Hordern, Peter
Brooke, Hon. Peter Fell, Anthony Howe, Rt. Hon. Sir Geoffrey
Brotherton, Michael Fenner, Mrs. Peggy Howell, Rt. Hon. David (Guildford)
Brown, Michael (Brigg & Sc'thorpe) Finsberg, Geoffrey Hunt, David (Wirral)
Browne, John (Winchester) Fisher, Sir Nigel Hunt, John (Ravensbourne)
Bruce-Gardyne, John Fletcher, Alexander (Edinburgh N.) Hurd, Hon. Douglas
Bryan, Sir Paul Fookes, Miss Janet Irving, Charles (Cheltenham)
Buck, Antony Forman, Nigel Jenkin, Rt. Hon. Patrick
Budgen, Nick Fowler, Rt. Hon. Norman Johnson Smith, Geoffrey
Bulmer, Esmond Fox, Marcus Jopling, Rt. Hon. Michael
Burden, F. A. Fraser, Rt. Hon. H. (Stafford & St) Joseph, Rt. Hon. Sir Keith
Butcher, John Fraser, Peter (South Angus) Kaberry, Sir Donald
Butler, Hon. Adam Fry, Peter Kimball, Marcus
Cadbury, Jocelyn Galbraith, Hon. T. G. D. Kitson, Sir Timothy
Carlisle, John (Luton West) Gardiner, George (Reigate) Knight, Mrs. Jill
Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) Gardner, Edward (South Fylde) Knox, David
Carlisle, Rt. Hon. Mark (Runcorn) Garel-Jones, Tristan Lamont, Norman
Chalker, Mrs. Lynda Gilmour, Rt. Hon. Sir Ian Lang, Ian
Langford-Holt, Sir John Needham, Richard Spence, John
Latham, Michael Nelson, Anthony Spicer, Michael (S. Worcestershire)
Lawrence, Ivan Neubert, Michael Sproat, Ian
Lawson, Nigel Newton, Tony Squire, Robin
Lee, John Nott, Rt. Hon. John Stanbrook, Ivor
Lennox-Boyd, Hon. Mark Onslow, Cranley Stanley, John
Lester, Jim (Beeston) Oppenheim, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Sally Steen, Anthony
Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) Page, Rt. Hon. R. Graham (Crosby) Stevens, Martin
Lloyd, Ian (Havant & Waterloo) Parkinson, Cecil Stewart, Ian (Hitchin)
Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) Parris, Matthew Stewart, John (East Renfrewshire)
Loveridge, John Patten, Christopher (Bath) Stokes, John
Lyell, Nicholas Patten, John (Oxford) Stradling Thomas, J.
McAdden, Sir Stephen Pattie, Geoffrey Tapsell, Peter
McCrindle, Robert Pawsey, James Taylor, Robert (Croydon N. W.)
Macfarlane, Neil Percival, Sir Ian Tebbit, Norman
MacGregor, John Peyton, Rt. Hon. John Temple-Morris, Peter
Mackay, John (Argyll) Pink, R. Bonner Thatcher, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Margaret
Macmillan, Rt. Hon. M. (Farnham) Pollock, Alexander Thomas, Rt. Hon. Peter (Hendon S.)
McNair-Wilson, Michael (Newbury) Porter, George Thompson, Donald
McNair-Wilson, Patrick (New Forest) Prentice, Rt. Hon. Reg Thorne, Neil (Ilford South)
McQuarrie, Albert Price, David (Eastleigh) Thornton, George
Madel, David Prior, Rt. Hon. James Townend, John (Bridlington)
Major, John Proctor, K. Harvey Townsend, Cyril D. (Bexleyheath)
Marland, Paul Pym, Rt. Hon. Francis Trippier, David
Marlow, Anthony Raison, Timothy Trotter, Neville
Marshall, Michael (Arundel) Rathbone, Tim van Straubenzee, W. R.
Marten, Neil (Banbury) Rees, Peter (Dover and Deal) Vaughan, Dr. Gerard
Mates, Michael Rees-Davies, W. R. Waddington, David
Mather, Carol Renton, Tim Wakeham, John
Maude, Rt. Hon. Angus Rhodes James, Robert Waldegrave, Hon. William
Mawby, Ray Ridley, Hon. Nicholas Wall, Patrick
Mawhinney, Dr. Brian Ridsdale, Julian Waller, Gary
Maxwell-Hyslop, Robin Rifkind, Malcolm Walters, Dennis
Mayhew, Patrick Rippon, Rt. Hon. Geoffrey Ward, John
Mellor, David Roberts, Michael (Cardiff N. W.) Watson, John
Meyer, Sir Anthony Roberts, Wyn (Conway) Wells, John (Maidstone)
Miller, Hal (Bromsgrove & Redditch) Rossi, Hugh Wells, P. Bowen (Hert'rd & Stev'nage)
Mills, Iain (Meriden) Rost, Peter Wheeler, John
Mills, Peter (West Devon) Royle, Sir Anthony Whitelaw, Rt. Hon. William
Miscampbell, Norman Sainsbury, Hon. Timothy Whitney, Raymond
Mitchell, David (Basingstoke) St. John Stevas, Rt. Hon. Norman Wickenden, Keith
Moate, Roger Scott, Nicholas Wiggin, Jerry
Monro, Hector Shaw, Giles (Pudsey) Wilkinson, John
Montgomery, Fergus Shelton, William (Streatham) Williams, Delwyn (Montgomery)
Moore, John Shepherd, Colin (Hereford) Winterton, Nicholas
Morgan, Geraint Shepherd, Richard (Aldridge-Br'hills) Wolfson, Mark
Morris, Michael (Northampton, Sth) Shersby, Michael Young, Sir George (Acton)
Morrison, Hon. Charles (Devizes) Silvester, Fred Younger, Rt. Hon. George
Morrison, Hon. Peter (City of Chester) Sims, Roger
Mudd, David Skeet, T. H. H. TELLERS FOR THE AYES:
Murphy, Christopher Smith, Dudley (War, and Leam'ton) Mr. Spencer Le Marchant and
Myles, David Speed, Keith Mr. Anthony Berry.
Neale, Gerrard Speller, Tony
NOES
Abse, Leo Canavan, Dennis Douglas-Mann, Bruce
Adams, Allen Cant, R. B. Dubs, Alfred
Allaun, Frank Carmichael, Neil Duffy, A. E. P.
Alton, David Carter-Jones, Lewis Dunn, James A. (Liverpool, Kirkdale)
Anderson, Donald Cartwright, John Dunnett, Jack
Archer, Rt. Hon. Peter Clark, Dr. David (South Shields) Eadie, Alex
Armstrong, Ernest Cocks, Rt. Hon. Michael (Bristol S.) Eastham, Ken
Ashley, Jack Cohen, Stanley Ellis, Raymond (NE Derbyshire)
Ashton, Joe Coleman, Donald English, Michael
Atkinson, Norman (H'gey, Tott'ham) Concannon, Rt. Hon. J. D. Ennals, Rt. Hon. David
Barnett, Guy (Greenwich) Conlan, Bernard Evans, Ioan (Aberdare)
Barnett, Rt. Hon. Joel (Heywood) Cowans, Harry Ewing, Harry
Beith, A. J. Crowther, J. S. Field, Frank
Bennett, Andrew (Stockport N.) Cryer, Bob Flannery, Martin
Bidwell, Sydney Cunliffe, Lawrence Fletcher, Ted (Darlington)
Booth, Rt. Hon. Albert Cunningham, Dr. John (Whitehaven) Foot, Rt. Hon. Michael
Boothroyd, Miss Betty Davidson, Arthur Ford, Ben
Bottomley, Rt. Hon. Arthur (M'brough) Davies, Rt. Hon. Denzil (Llanelli) Forrester, John
Bradford, Rev. R. Davies, E. Hudson (Caerphilly) Foster, Derek
Bradley, Tom Davies, Ifor (Gower) Foulkes, George
Bray, Dr. Jeremy Davis, Clinton (Hackney Central) Fraser, John (Lambeth, Norwood)
Brown, Hugh D. (Provan) Davis, Terry (Br'm'ham, Stechford) Freeson, Rt. Hon. Reginald
Brown, Robert C. (Newcastle W) Deakins, Eric Freud, Clement
Brown, Ron (Edinburgh, Leith) Dempsey, James Garrett, John (Norwich S.)
Buchan, Norman Dewar, Donald Garrett, W. E. (Wallsend)
Callaghan, Rt. Hon. J. (Cardiff SE) Dixon, Donald George, Bruce
Callaghan, Jim (Middleton & P) Dobson, Frank Gilbert, Rt. Hon. Dr. John
Campbell, Ian Dormand, J. D. Golding, John
Campbell-Savours, Dale Douglas, Dick Gourlay, Harry
Graham, Ted McWilliam, John Sheldon, Rt. Hon. Robert (A'ton-u-L)
Grant, George (Morpeth) Magee, Bryan Shore, Rt. Hon. Peter (Step and Pop)
Grant, John (Islington C) Marks, Kenneth Short, Mrs. Renée
Grimond, Rt. Hon. J. Marshall, David (Gl'sgow, Shettles'n) Silkin, Rt. Hon. John (Deptford)
Hamilton, W. W. (Central Fife) Marshall, Dr. Edmund (Goole) Silkin, Rt. Hon. S. C. (Dulwich)
Harrison, Rt. Hon. Walter Marshall, Jim (Leicester South) Silverman, Julius
Hart, Rt. Hon. Judith Martin, Michael (Gl'gow, Springo'm) Skinner, Dennis
Hattersley, Rt. Hon. Roy Mason, Rt. Hon. Roy Smith, Cyril (Rochdale)
Haynes, David Maxton, John Smith, Rt. Hon. J. (North Lanarkshire)
Healey, Rt. Hon. Denis Maynard, Miss Joan Snape, Peter
Heffer, Eric S. Meacher, Michael Soley, Clive
Hogg, Norman (E Dunbartonshire) Mellish, Rt. Hon. Robert Spearing, Nigel
Holland, Stuart (L'beth, Vauxhall) Mikardo, Ian Spriggs, Leslie
Home Robertson, John Millan, Rt. Hon. Bruce Stallard, A. W.
Homewood, William Mitchell, Austin (Grimsby) Steel, Rt. Hon. David
Hooley, Frank Molyneaux, James Stewart, Rt. Hon. Donald (W Isles)
Horam, John Morris, Rt. Hon. Alfred (Wythenshawe) Stoddart, David
Howell, Rt. Hon. Denis (B'ham, Sm H) Morris, Rt. Hon. Charles (Openshaw) Stott, Roger
Howells, Geraint Morris, Rt. Hon. John (Aberavon) Strang, Gavin
Huckfield, Les Morton, George Straw, Jack
Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen North) Moyle, Rt. Hon. Roland Summerskill, Hon. Dr. Shirley
Hughes, Roy (Newport) Mulley, Rt. Hon. Frederick Taylor, Mrs. Ann (Bolton West)
Janner, Hon. Greville Newens, Stanley Thomas, Jeffrey (Abertillery)
Jay, Rt. Hon. Douglas Oakes, Gordon Thomas, Mike (Newcastle East)
John, Brynmor Ogden, Eric Thomas, Dr. Roger (Carmarthen)
Johnson, James (Hull West) O'Halloran, Michael Thorne, Stan (Preston South)
Johnson, Walter (Derby South) O'Neill, Martin Tilley, John
Jones, Alec (Rhondda) Orme, Rt. Hon. Stanley Tinn, James
Jones, Barry (East Flint) Owen, Rt. Hon. Dr. David Torney, Tom
Jones, Dan (Burnley) Paisley, Rev Ian Varley, Rt. Hon. Eric G.
Kaufman, Rt. Hon. Gerald Palmer, Arthur Wainwright, Edwin (Dearne Valley)
Kerr, Russell Park, George Wainwright, Richard (Colne Valley)
Kilfedder, James A. Parker, John Walker, Harold (Doncaster)
Kilroy-Silk, Robert Parry, Robert Watkins, David
Kinnock, Neil Pendry, Tom Weetch, Ken
Lambie, David Penhaligon, David Wellbeloved, James
Lamborn, Harry Powell, Rt. Hon. J. Enoch (S Down) Welsh Michael
Lamond, James Powell, Raymond (Ogmore) White, Frank R. (Bury & Radcliffe)
Leadbitter, Ted Race, Reg White, James (Glasgow, Pollok)
Leighton, Ronald Radice, Giles Whitlock, William
Lestor, Miss Joan (Eton & Slough) Rees, Rt. Hon. Merlyn (Leeds South) Wigley, Dafydd
Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) Richardson, Miss Jo Willey, Rt. Hon. Frederick
Lofthouse, Geoffrey Roberts, Albert (Normanton) Williams, Rt. Hon. Alan (Swansea W)
Lyon, Alexander (York) Roberts, Allan (Bootle) Williams, Sir Thomas (Warrington)
Lyons, Edward (Bradford West) Roberts, Ernest (Hackney North) Wilson, Gordon (Dundee East)
Mabon, Rt. Hon. Dr. J. Dickson Roberts, Gwilym (Cannock) Wilson, Rt. Hon. Sir Harold (Huyton)
McCartney, Hugh Robertson, George Wilson, William (Coventry SE)
McCusker, H. Robinson, Geoffrey (Coventry N. W.) Winnick, David
McDonald, Dr. Oonagh Robinson, Peter (Belfast East) Woodall, Alec
McElhone, Frank Rodgers, Rt. Hon. William Woolmer, Kenneth
McKay, Allen (Penistone) Rooker, J. W. Wrigglesworth, Ian
McKelvey, William Ross, Ernest (Dundee West) Wright, Miss Sheila
MacKenzie, Rt. Hon. Gregor Ross, Wm. (Londonderry) Young, David (Bolton East)
Maclennan, Robert Rowlands, Ted
McMahon, Andrew Ryman, John TELLERS FOR THE NOES.
McMillan, Tom (Glasgow, Central) Sandelson, Neville Mr. James Hamilton and
McNally, Thomas Sever, John Mr. John Evans
McQuade, John Sheerman, Barry

Question accordingly agreed to.