§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to oppose the proposed extension of value added tax to goods donated to charity shops.
§ Mr. Ryder[holding answer 24 October 1989]: The Government have no plans to alter the VAT relief for donated goods sold by charity shops and will not accept any proposals from the EC Commission which affect the United Kingdom's ability to apply zero rates. Changes to EC tax law require unanimity, and there is no question of any unwelcome proposals being forced upon us.