Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence


Supplementary memorandum by HM Treasury (UWP 118A)

  You will recall that, at the hearing on 12 April, I was asked a number of questions about Lord Rogers' recommendations on VAT on housing.

  As I stated to the Committee, the Government has welcomed the Urban Task Force's report on encouraging an urban renaissance and is giving careful consideration to all 105 of Lord Rogers' recommendations. Customs and Excise are responsible for the administration of VAT and therefore have overall responsibility for examining the recommendations relating to VAT. They are of course working closely with other departments, notably the Treasury and the DETR.

  I am sure the Committee will appreciate that it is essential that tax changes are not made in isolation and that they do not generate undesirable side effects, and these are just two of the many issues that Customs will be considering.

  In terms of timing, this tax issue, like any other, will be considered as part of the annual Budget process.

  I hope this is helpful to the Committee in clarifying the position.

Stephen Timms

Financial Secretary

22 May 2000


 
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