The process has been a bit like being in a Big Brother household. I pay tribute to the Ministersthe Financial Secretary, the Exchequer Secretary and the Economic Secretaryand, because one gets used to the character and strengths and weaknesses of all the others performing on the Committee, to the hon. Members for Runnymede and Weybridge, for Fareham (Mr. Hoban), for Putney (Justine Greening) and for South-West Hertfordshire (Mr. Gauke). Of course, I should not forget my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed), who was good enough to allow me to return for a constituency engagement on the final day of the Committee, when I told him that it was due to wrap up by about 4 oclock and found out the next day that it had finished at 9.15 in the evening. I am still indebted to him, but perhaps the fact that I have been in the Chamber for the past eight hours has gone some way towards paying back that debt.
This Budget has represented an extraordinary series of difficulties and disasters for the Government, and the Finance Bill has impinged on the national consciousness and mainstream opinions in a way that I suspect most do not. My constituents, and I am sure those of all hon. Members, have taken an active interest in the 10p tax saga, vehicle excise duty retrospection, and even items that are slightly more obscure for some people, such as the confusion over non-dom taxation. What is extraordinary is that this has been a moving feast throughout the Bills passage. The Government have been bringing in emergency announcements and new clauses, but these matters are still not resolved. It feels as though we are bringing the whole matter to a conclusionthat is the parliamentary ritual that we are performingbut the Government have still left open the issue of the 1.1 million outstanding net losers as a result of the doubling of the 10p tax rate. We also heard this afternoon that there is more ongoing unfinished business over non-doms, further deliberation about vehicle excise duty being retrospective, and the issue of the 2p on fuel duty has been postponed until the autumn. This is moving from one Finance Bill to another, one pre-Budget report to another, and one Budget statement to anothera rolling programme of confusion.
During this period, the Prime Minister has overseen a collapse in the Governments reputation, and I am afraid that the proposals that have been put before us in this Bill are unlikely to rescue the reputation of him personally or of his Government. On that basis, Liberal Democrat Members will also be in the Lobby voting against its Third Reading.
Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I will not detain the House for long, but it would be wrong for me not to speak, as it was the first time that I had the honour of serving on the Committee considering the Finance Bill, where I saw democracy in action. I would like to praise my Front-Bench team, who did an extraordinary job, winning the argument time and time again, but when a Division was called, those on the Government side ran in from the corridor, asked which way they were supposed to vote and every amendment was voted down.
Jane Kennedy: Except for one.
Mr. Bone: Indeed, except for one.
My abiding memory was the important debate about air passenger duty, and discrimination against tall people on aeroplanes. We were told in all honesty that this measure would raise £5 million a year, but it was then explained to the Government that not a single business airline was covered, so exactly zero would be raised by the change in the law. It was an enjoyable experience. Those on the Government Front Bench answered all the questions put to them, and they were very helpful. We won the arguments, but unfortunately we lost the votes.
Borrow, Mr. David S.
Donohoe, Mr. Brian H.
James, Mrs. Siân C.
Johnson, Ms Diana R.
Question accordingly agreed to.
Bill read the Third time, and passed.
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): I propose to put together the Questions on motions 3 to 8.
That the draft Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Taxes on Income and Capital) (Moldova) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 15th May, be approved.
That the draft Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Taxes on Income and Capital) (New Zealand) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 15th May, be approved.
That the draft Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Taxes on Income and Capital) (Slovenia) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 15th May, be approved.
That the draft Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 (Sources of Energy and Technologies) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 15th May, be approved.
That the draft Probate Services (Approved Bodies) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 9th June, be approved.
Question agreed to.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I think the Ayes have it.
Hon. Members: No.
Division deferred till Wednesday 9 July, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions).
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I think the Ayes have it.
Hon. Members: No.
Division deferred till Wednesday 9 July, pursuant to Standing Order No. 41A (Deferred divisions).
Question agreed to.
That having lost her husband through the wilfully despicable act of one man, this man Alexander Dix should not be considered for early release. Three years for the death of another person is not long enough. The consideration that space is needed in prisons should not impact on offenders prison sentences by means of reducing them.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Home Secretary to consider the plight of Mrs Todd and others in a similar situation and to endeavour to keep this person in prison for longer.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.
