HC Deb 16 November 2000 vol 356 cc758-9W
Mr. Loughton

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Cm 4917, if he will define places of worship in respect of consideration for a reduction in VAT.[138197]

Dawn Primarolo

[holding answer 13 November 2000]: Places of worship are listed religious buildings such as cathedrals, churches, chapels, meeting-houses, synagogues, mosques and temples.

Mr. Cash

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the plans announced in his pre-Budget Statement to reduce VAT on church repairs in the context of EU rules governing VAT.[138738]

Dawn Primarolo

The Government are attracted to the idea of offering a reduced rate for the repair of listed buildings which are used as places of worship, such as churches, chapels, synagogues, meeting-houses, temples and mosques. As a first step I have written to the European Commission on 8 November to ask for consideration of early legislative proposals to add repairs, maintenance and improvements to listed places of worship to the list of permissible reduced rates.