HC Deb 26 January 1989 vol 145 cc737-8W
Mr. Heddle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments he has made with the BAA, the British Railways Board and 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, in particular on partnership schemes in the private sector involving urban regeneration where the schemes were commercially committed prior to the relevant date but not protected by the transitional arrangements proposed by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

Mr. Portillo

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 25 January by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. I have no reason to believe that different considerations would apply to construction schemes involving transport bodies from the generality of such schemes.

Mr. Heddle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the BAA, the British Railways Board and other bodies within his Department's responsibility about the effect of value added tax on non-domestic construction work following the decision of the European Court on 21 June 1988, in particular on partnership schemes with the private sector.

Mr. Portillo

The chairman of British Rail has written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State pointing out the possible effect on a number of British Rail development schemes of the imposition of value added tax in non-domestic construction work. My right hon. Friend has received no other representations from bodies sponsored by his Department.