HC Deb 23 March 1998 vol 309 cc135-7

Motion made, and Question put,

That income tax shall be charged for the year 1998–99, and for that year—

  1. (a)the lower rate shall be 20 per cent.;
  2. (b)the basic rate shall be 23 per cent.; and
  3. (c)the higher rate shall be 40 per cent.

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.

The House proceeded to a Division—

Mr. Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford) (seated and covered)

On a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am afraid that I have not been present throughout the debate, but I know that the Liberal Democrats have criticised not only this Government but the previous Government time and again for raising taxes—

Madam Speaker

Order. That is not a point of order for the Chair. Continue with the Division.

The House having divided: Ayes 300, Noes 43.

Division No. 218] [10.27 pm
AYES
Abbott, Ms Diane Canavan, Dennis
Ainger, Nick Cann, Jamie
Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE) Caplin, Ivor
Allen, Graham Caton, Martin
Anderson, Donald (Swansea E) Chaytor, David
Anderson, Janet (Rossendale) Chisholm, Malcolm
Armstrong, Ms Hilary Church, Ms Judith
Ashton, Joe Clapham, Michael
Atherton, Ms Candy Clark, Rt Hon Dr David (S Shields)
Barnes, Harry Clark, Dr Lynda (Edinburgh Pentlands)
Barron, Kevin
Battle, John Clarke, Rt Hon Tom (Coatbridge)
Bayley, Hugh Clelland, David
Beckett, Rt Hon Mrs Margaret Clwyd, Ann
Bell, Stuart (Middlesbrough) Coaker, Vernon
Benn, Rt Hon Tony Coffey, Ms Ann
Bennett, Andrew F Cohen, Harry
Benton, Joe Coleman, lain
Bermingham, Gerald Colman, Tony
Berry, Roger Connarty, Michael
Best, Harold Cook, Frank (Stockton N)
Blears, Ms Hazel Cooper, Yvette
Blizzard, Bob Corbett, Robin
Blunkett, Rt Hon David Corbyn, Jeremy
Borrow, David Corston, Ms Jean
Bradley, Peter (The Wrekin) Cousins, Jim
Brinton, Mrs Helen Cox, Tom
Brown, Rt Hon Gordon (Dunfermline E) Cryer, John (Hornchurch)
Cummings, John
Brown, Rt Hon Nick (Newcastle E) Cunliffe, Lawrence
Brown, Russell (Dumfries) Cunningham, Jim (Cov'try S)
Browne, Desmond Dalyell, Tam
Buck, Ms Karen Darling, Rt Hon Alistair
Burden, Richard Darvill, Keith
Burgon, Colin Davey, Valerie (Bristol W)
Byers, Stephen Davidson, Ian
Caborn, Richard Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)
Campbell, Alan (Tynemouth) Davies, Rt Hon Ron (Caerphilly)
Campbell—Savours, Dale Dawson, Hilton
Dean, Mrs Janet Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald
Denham, John Keeble, Ms Sally
Dismore, Andrew Kemp, Fraser
Dobson, Rt Hon Frank Kennedy, Jane (Wavertree)
Donohoe, Brian H Kidney, David
Doran, Frank King, Andy (Rugby & Kenilworth)
Dowd, Jim King, Ms Oona (Bethnal Green)
Drew, David Kumar, Dr Ashok
Drown, Ms Julia Ladyman, Dr Stephen
Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth Lawrence, Ms Jackie
Eagle, Maria (L'pool Garston) Laxton, Bob
Edwards, Huw Lepper, David
Ellman, Mrs Louise Levitt, Tom
Ennis, Jeff Lewis, Ivan (Bury S)
Field, Rt Hon Frank Lewis, Terry (Worsley)
Fisher, Mark Lock, David
Fitzpatrick, Jim Love, Andrew
Fitzsimons, Lorna McAvoy, Thomas
Flint, Caroline McCabe, Steve
Flynn, Paul McCartney, Ian (Makerfield)
Foster, Rt Hon Derek McDonagh, Siobhain
Foster, Michael J (Worcester) Macdonald, Calum
Foulkes, George McDonnell, John
Fyfe, Maria McFall, John
Galbraith, Sam McGuire, Mrs Anne
Galloway, George Mclsaac, Shona
Gapes, Mike McKenna, Mrs Rosemary
George, Bruce (Walsall S) McLeish, Henry
Gibson, Dr Ian McNulty, Tony
Gilroy, Mrs Linda MacShane, Denis
Godman, Norman A Mactaggart, Fiona
Golding, Mrs Llin McWilliam, John
Graham, Thomas Mahon, Mrs Alice
Grant, Bernie Mandelson, Peter
Griffiths, Jane (Reading E) Marek, Dr John
Grocott, Bruce Marsden, Paul (Shrewsbury)
Grogan, John Marshall—Andrews, Robert
Gunnell, John Martlew, Eric
Hain, Peter Maxton, John
Hall, Mike (Weaver Vale) Meale, Alan
Hall, Patrick (Bedford) Michael, Alun
Hanson, David Michie, Bill (Shef'ld Heeley)
Harman, Rt Hon Ms Harriet Milburn, Alan
Heal, Mrs Sylvia Miller, Andrew
Healey, John Mitchell, Austin
Henderson, Doug (Newcastle N) Moffatt, Laura
Henderson, Ivan (Harwich) Moonie, Dr Lewis
Hepburn, Stephen Moran, Ms Margaret
Heppell, John Morgan, Ms Julie (Cardiff N)
Hewitt, Ms Patricia Morgan, Rhodri (Cardiff W)
Hill, Keith Morris, Ms Estelle (B'ham Yardley)
Hinchliffe, David Morris, Rt Hon John (Aberavon)
Hodge, Ms Margaret Mudie, George
Hoey, Kate Mullin, Chris
Home Robertson, John Murphy, Denis (Wansbeck)
Hope, Phil Naysmith, Dr Doug
Hopkins, Kelvin O'Hara, Eddie
Howarth, Alan (Newport E) Olner, Bill
Howarth, George (Knowsley N) O'Neill, Martin
Howells, Dr Kim Palmer, Dr Nick
Hoyle, Lindsay Pendry, Tom
Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N) Perham, Ms Linda
Humble, Mrs Joan Pickthall, Colin
Hurst, Alan Pike, Peter L
Hutton, John Plaskitt, James
Iddon, Dr Brian Pope, Greg
Jackson, Helen (Hillsborough) Powell, Sir Raymond
Jamieson, David Prentice, Ms Bridget (Lewisham E)
Johnson, Alan (Hull W & Hessle) Prescott, Rt Hon John
Johnson, Miss Melanie (Welwyn Hatfield) Primarolo, Dawn
Prosser, Gwyn
Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside) Purchase, Ken
Jones, Helen (Warrington N) Quin, Ms Joyce
Jones, Ms Jenny (Wolverh'ton SW) Quinn, Lawrie
Radice, Giles
Jones, Martyn (Clwyd S) Rapson, Syd
Raynsford, Nick Taylor, Rt Hon Mrs Ann (Dewsbury)
Reed, Andrew (Loughborough)
Reid, Dr John (Hamilton N) Taylor, Ms Dari (Stockton S)
Robertson, Rt Hon George (Hamilton S) Taylor, David (NW Leics)
Temple—Morris, Peter
Robinson, Geoffrey (Cov'try NW) Thomas, Gareth (Clwyd W)
Rogers, Allan Thomas, Gareth R (Harrow W)
Rooney, Terry Timms, Stephen
Ross, Ernie (Dundee W) Tipping, Paddy
Rowlands, Ted Todd, Mark
Roy, Frank Touhig, Don
Ruddock, Ms Joan Trickett, Jon
Russell, Ms Christine (Chester) Truswell, Paul
Ryan, Ms Joan Turner, Dennis (Wolverh'ton SE)
Savidge, Malcolm Turner, Dr Desmond (Kemptown)
Sedgemore, Brian Twigg, Derek (Halton)
Shaw, Jonathan Twigg, Stephen (Enfield)
Sheerman, Barry Vaz, Keith
Sheldon, Rt Hon Robert Walley, Ms Joan
Simpson, Alan (Nottingham S) Wareing, Robert N
Skinner, Dennis Watts, David
Smith, Rt Hon Andrew (Oxford E) White, Brian
Smith, Angela (Basildon) Whitehead, Dr Alan
Smith, Rt Hon Chris (Islington S) Wicks, Malcolm
Smith, Miss Geraldine (Morecambe & Lunesdale) Williams, Rt Hon Alan
(Swansea W)
Smith, Jacqui (Redditch) Williams, Mrs Betty (Conwy)
Smith, John (Glamorgan) Wills, Michael
Smith, Llew (Blaenau Gwent) Wilson, Brian
Soley, Clive Winnick, David
Spellar, John Winterton, Ms Rosie (Doncaster C)
Squire, Ms Rachel Wise, Audrey
Starkey, Dr Phyllis Woolas, Phil
Steinberg, Gerry Wray, James
Stevenson, George Wright, Anthony D (Gt Yarmouth)
Stinchcombe, Paul Wright, Dr Tony (Cannock)
Stoate, Dr Howard Wyatt, Derek
Strang, Rt Hon Dr Gavin
Straw, Rt Hon Jack Tellers for the Ayes:
Stringer, Graham Mr. Jon Owen Jones and
Sutcliffe, Gerry Mr. Clive Betts.
NOES
Allan, Richard Hughes, Simon (Southwark N)
Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham)
Baker, Norman Keetch, Paul
Ballard, Mrs Jackie Kennedy, Charles (Ross Skye)
Berth, Rt Hon A J Kirkwood, Archy
Bell, Martin (Tatton) Livsey, Richard
Brake, Tom Llwyd, Elfyn
Brand, Dr Peter Maclennan, Rt Hon Robert
Breed, Colin Oaten, Mark
Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon) Õpik, Lembit
Burnett, John Rendel, David
Burstow, Paul Russell, Bob (Colchester)
Cable, Dr Vincent Sanders, Adrian
Campbell, Menzies (NE Fife) Smith, Sir Robert (W Ab'd'ns)
Chidgey, David Taylor, Matthew (Truro)
Tonge, Dr Jenny
Dafis, Cynog Tyler, Paul
Feam, Ronnie Wallace, James
Foster, Don (Bath) Webb, Steve
George, Andrew (St Ives) Willis, Phil
Gorrie, Donald
Hancock, Mike Tellers for the Noes:
Harris, Dr Evan Mr. Edward Davey and
Heath, David (Somerton & Frome) Mr. Andrew Stunell.

Question accordingly agreed to.