§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual revenue cost to the Exchequer of reducing the rate of value added tax from 17.5 per cent. to 8 per cent. on energy-saving materials, manufactured for the purpose of(a) cavity wall insulation, (b) loft insulation, (c) underfloor insulation, (d) insulating hot water tanks, (e) insulating pipes and other plumbing fittings, (f) draught proofing, (g) controlling domestic heating systems, (h) external and internal wall cladding and (i) providing low emissivity glazing; and if he will make a statement. [4270]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe information is not available. The cost of reducing VAT on these products has been estimated by the Association for the Conservation of Energy a trade lobby group, at £10 million in a full year.