§ 2.55 p.m.
§ Lord EzraMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the continuing high level of unemployment, when they propose to abolish the National Insurance surcharge.
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, as my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said in another place:
We hope during the present Parliament to abolish Labour's pernicious tax on jobs, the National Insurance surcharge".
§ Lord EzraMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for the remark that he has made. May I ask him whether this measure that he has reiterated will take place as soon as possible to enable industry to get going again?
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, I realise the importance of this matter. It is however a matter, as the noble Lord will appreciate, that will need to be the subject of decision by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in relation to other priorities in the economy.