HC Deb 17 May 2000 vol 350 c185W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in the past six months requesting that value added tax be(a) reduced and (b) removed on building renovations and conversions; and if he will make a statement. [122127]

Dawn Primarolo

Treasury Ministers have received about 5,550 letters since last November asking for changes to the rate of VAT on building, renovation and maintenance work. The vast majority of these letters have asked for a reduced rate rather than removal of VAT. The removal of VAT from repairs and renovations is illegal under agreements with our European partners.

Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce the level of value added tax levied on building renovations and conversions; and if he will make a statement. [122121]

Dawn Primarolo

The Government have no present plans to introduce a reduced rate for building renovations and conversions.