HC Deb 30 October 1997 vol 299 c883W
38. Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of reducing or removing VAT on crime prevention devices when these are purchased by local crime prevention panels for fitting in the homes of pensioners at no cost to those pensioners. [12686]

Dawn Primarolo

The Government are committed to reducing crime and creating safer communities through a wide range of strategies. EC law does not allow the introduction of new VAT zero rates, nor does the directive provide for a reduced rate to be introduced for purchases of crime prevention devices.