§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has about the proportion of disposable income which will be used by households to maintain a temperature of 16 deg C inside their homes over the winter months as a result of the imposition of VAT of 17.5 per cent. on fuel, taking account of the compensation package; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what assessment he has made of the environmental and public health impacts of the imposition of VAT at 17.5 per cent. on domestic fuel bills.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesMy right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that the proposed increase in VAT on domestic fuel bills will not now take place.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what account had been taken of the information and data obtained for the 1991 English house 555W condition survey when calculating the compensation package associated with value added tax on domestic fuel bills.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesIt is not possible to specify the account which was taken of any particular source of information among the many that were considered as the package of help for VAT on fuel was prepared. The package directed additional resources to vulnerable groups, especially pensioners, who were among those highlighted in the English house condition survey.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to include energy efficiency in the housing fitness standard following the imposition of VAT on domestic fuel bills; and what proportion of disposable income he considers reasonable for maintaining a temperature of 16 deg C within homes.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesWe have no proposals. The proportion of disposable income reasonable for maintaining a temperature of 16 deg C will depend on the disposable income of the individual household.