§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current negotiations taking place within the EC Council of Finance Ministers to seek an agreed reduction in VAT for the breeding and sales of bloodstock in the United Kingdom after 1993.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 15 January 1992]: The discussions currently taking place are to decide which goods and services may be subject to a reduced rate of VAT within the European Community after 1992. The present list includes goods and services used and supplied by farmers. It has yet to be decided finally whether horses will fall within any of the reduced rate categories.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list details of any alternative schemes being considered by Her Majesty's Government to assist the bloodstock industry in the United Kingdom after 1993.
§ Mr. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 15 January 1992]: Detailed discussions are currently taking place between officials and interested parties on the merits of an agricultural flat rate scheme for the United Kingdom.