Bridge Tolls (Hansard, 28 July 2000)

§ Mrs. Gilroy
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations the Treasury has made to the European Court of Justice in respect of VAT on bridge tolls and the impact that will have on the case of the Tamar Bridge. [133093]

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the additional revenue from applying value added tax at 17.5 per cent. on existing toll charges. [130546]

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the opinion of the Advocate-General of the European Court of Justice, dated 27 January, concerning Case C-359/97 (Commission v. European Communities), if he will estimate the proceeds that will accrue to the Exchequer per year from the application of the standard rate of VAT to roads, tunnels and bridges. [129782]

§ Dawn Primarolo
The United Kingdom's relief from VAT for all toll charges has been vigorously defended throughout the proceedings before the European Court of Justice.

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Tamar Bridge Joint Committee was consulted during preparation for the ECJ court case concerning value added tax on toll charges. [130545]

§ Dawn Primarolo
[holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Tamar Bridge Joint Committee was invited to a meeting hosted by HM Customs and Excise on 19 May 1998, at which the case was fully discussed. Thereafter, the Tamar Bridge Joint Committee was on the mailing list for Customs' written updates on the case.