§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the European Commission concerning the extension of value added tax to new commercial buildings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeThe EC Commission's challenge on certain of the United Kingdom's zero ratings is a legal matter. As is normal in these cases, correspondence has been exchanged with the Commission and written pleadings have been lodged with the European Court. These procedures are preparatory to the oral hearing before the court (for which a date has yet to be set). The Government have publicly stated several times that they will defend their case robustly. In this connection I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment in reply to the Summer Adjournment debate on this subject on 25 July, at columns 923–26.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to seek to extend value added tax to goods and services, not already covered; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeNo. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech on 19 March 1985, at column 796.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage change in real personal disposable income for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. MacGregorThis information is published in table 3.16 of the 1986 edition of United Kingdom national accounts (the Central Statistical Office "Blue Book") which is available in the Library of the House of Commons.