§ Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will initiate discussions with(a) the chairman of British Gas and (b) other bodies within his Department's responsibility about the effect of the imposition of value added tax on non-domestic construction work following the decision of the European Court on 21 June 1988, including the effect on partnership schemes to redevelop redundant inner city land with the private sector.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 21 225W June 1988 at columns 957–58. Customs and Excise has consulted interested parties on how the judgment of the European Court could be best applied. Action to protect public sector construction programmes, by allowing where necessary compensating adjustments to the relevant central Government expenditure provision, has already been taken in consultation with relevant bodies.