VAT on Fuel

HC Deb 21 November 1994 vol 250 cc440-2

10 pm

Mr. Hugh Bayley (York)

I beg to present a petition signed by 1,525 of my constituents on a day when the chief executive of British Gas saw his salary rise by £205,000 to a staggering £475,000. It reads as follows: To the House of Commons The Petition of the Citizens of York declares that the Government's decision to increase VAT on domestic fuel from 8 per cent. to 17.5 per cent. in 1995 will place a heavy financial burden on pensioners and others on low incomes, which they will find hard to meet. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons votes down this proposed increase and legislates to fully compensate pensioners and others on low incomes for the 8 per cent. VAT already introduced. And the petitioners remain, etc. The Hon. Mrs. Fiona Rudd, 19 South Parade, York. It is also signed by more than 1,500 other of my constituents.

To lie upon the Table.

Mr. Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield)

Like my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Bayley), I also rise on the subject of a petition about the increase of VAT on fuel. I am pleased to say that my petition is signed by no less than 6,300 people from one small part of Birmingham, Northfield and surrounding areas. The petition reads: To the House of Commons The Petition of Birmingham Northfield and Neighbouring areas Declares that the decision to increase VAT on domestic fuel and power from 8 per cent. to 17.5 per cent. in April 1995 breaks Conservative election promises and is unfair, hitting those who can least afford it. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons pass legislation to stop the increase in VAT on domestic fuel and power from going ahead. And the Petitioners remain, etc. That petition has been signed by almost 10 per cent. of the constituency of Birmingham, Northfield.

To lie upon the Table.

Mrs. Anne Campbell (Cambridge)

I wish to present a petition from my constituents in Cambridge who are equally outraged about the decision of British Gas to raise the salaries of their own officers to the quite outrageous levels that we have seen over the past couple of days. The petition reads as follows: To the House of Commons The Petition of the Constituency of Cambridge Declares that the decision to increase VAT on domestic fuel and power from 8 per cent. to 17.5 per cent. in April 1995 breaks election promises and is unfair, hitting those who can least afford it. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons pass legislation to stop the increase in VAT on domestic fuel and power going ahead. And the Petitioners remain, etc. Rosie Turner, 27 Leys Road, Cambridge. It is also signed by 500 other of my constituents.

To lie upon the Table.

Mr. George Foulkes (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley)

I have a petition from the constituents of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley. As in the case of the petitions presented by my hon. Friends, my petition is not appropriate today just because of the obscene British Gas salary increases. I have been led to believe that, if the VAT increase goes ahead, the Chancellor has it in mind not to give an additional 50p compensation to pensioners, but to give only 25p, which makes it even more disgraceful.

That is why the constituents of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley have asked me to present this petition, which declares: the decision to increase VAT on fuel and power from 8 per cent. to 17.5 per cent. in April 1995 breaks election promises and is unfair, hitting those who can least afford it. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons pass legislation to stop the increase in VAT on domestic fuel and power going ahead. The petition is signed by Mary Garrett of 2 Drumsuy court, Coylton and by hundreds of other constituents of mine in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley. It is a great pleasure for me to join my colleagues in presenting a petition.

To lie upon the Table.

Mr. David Hanson (Delyn)

Like my hon. Friends, I share a concern today about British Gas salaries. This petition from the people of Delyn was drafted and signed before that decision, but it is equally valid today. The petition reads: To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The Humble Petition of the People of Delyn constituency sheweth That the Government plans to increase VAT on fuel from 8 per cent. to 17.5 per cent. in April 1995. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House demand that in this November's Budget, the Chancellor stop this increase from going ahead. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. The petition is signed by Beverley Bradley of 143 Windsor drive, Flint and by more than 1,000 others. In the past week, I have received 750 postcards with stamps on from constituents which show their real concern. They have not just signed petitions, but have sent cards back to their Member of Parliament. I am proud to present the petition today.

To lie upon the Table.

Mr. Robert N. Wareing (Liverpool, West Derby)

This petition has been raised mainly by the Merseyside Pensioners Association. There are 7,000 signatures to add to the 7,000 already handed in to No. 10 Downing street today. The petition reads as follows: To the House of Commons. The Petition of the citizens of the United Kingdom declares that the Government's decision to increase VAT on domestic fuel from 8 per cent. to 17.5 per cent. in 1995 will place a heavy financial burden on pensioners and others on low incomes, which they will find hard to meet. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons votes down this proposed increase and legislates to fully compensate pensioners and others on low incomes for the 8 per cent. VAT already introduced. Those people will also regard today's news as an outrage. They are quite aware of the way in which taxation has moved from direct taxation, which is fair, to indirect taxation of this sort, which undoubtedly bears most on the shoulders of the very poor. I agree with my constituents and others who have signed the petition. It is signed by W. Edwards of 78 Parkhurst road, Liverpool 11 and by 7,000 others.

To lie upon the Table.