§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to a lower rate of VAT for launderettes; and when he expects to reach a conclusion.
§ Sir John CopeNone. All member states within the EC have agreed that reduced rates of VAT may be applied only to the specific list of goods and services in the EC VAT rates directive. Launderette services do not appear in this list. Furthermore, the directive does not allow for the introduction of any new zero rates.