HC Deb 07 April 2003 vol 403 c32W
Mr. Barry Gardiner

To ask the Chancellor of the Exschequer if he will introduce concessions for Fair Trade companies for(a) capacity building activities and (b) capital investment programmes. [107736]

Dawn Primarolo

The Government are committed to supporting ethical trading wherever possible and provides significant support to the Fairtrade Foundation's efforts in promoting the supply and marketing of fair trade products. All taxes are kept under review and any proposals for new taxes and tax reliefs will be considered as part of the normal Budget process. Since 1997 the Government have introduced incentives to benefit all companies including, cuts in the rates of corporation tax and permanent 40 per cent. first year allowances.