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(a)   alters a type A stamp, otherwise than in accordance with regulations under this Schedule, after it has been issued, or

(b)   so alters a type B stamp after the label in which it is incorporated has been produced.

(   )   His conduct attracts a penalty under section 9 of the Finance Act 1994 (civil penalties).

(   )   The stamp, or the label in which it is incorporated, is liable to forfeiture.'.

No. 67, in page 268, line 41, leave out from 'stamped' to end of line 6 on page 269 and insert

'any of the items mentioned in sub-paragraphs (1A) to (1D) below.

(1A)   The first is—

(a)   a type A stamp, or

(b)   a label incorporating a type B stamp, if the stamp is not a correct stamp for that container in accordance with regulations made under this Schedule.

(1B)   The second is—

(a)   a type A stamp that has been altered, otherwise than in accordance with regulations under this Schedule, after it has been issued, or

(b)   a label incorporating a type B stamp if the stamp has been so altered after the label has been produced.

(1C)   The third is an item that purports to be, but is not,—

(a)   a type A stamp, or

(b)   a label incorporating a type B stamp.

 
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(1D)   The fourth is any label or other item affixed in such a way as to cover up all or part of—

(a)   a type A stamp affixed to the container, or

(b)   a type B stamp incorporated in a label affixed to the container, except where the label or other item is so affixed in accordance with regulations under this Schedule.'.

No. 68, in page 269, line 16, at end insert

'(including, in the case of a container, its contents)'.

No. 69, in page 269, line 21, leave out lines 21 to 26 and insert—

'   (   )   The following items are liable to forfeiture.

(   )   The first is an item that purports to be, but is not,—

(a)   a type A stamp, or

(b)   a label incorporating a type B stamp.

(   )   The second is—

(a)   a type A stamp that has been altered, otherwise than in accordance with regulations under this Schedule, after it has been issued, or

(b)   a label incorporating a type B stamp if the stamp has been so altered after the label has been produced.

(   )   The third is—

(a)   a type A stamp, or

(b)   a label incorporating a type B stamp,

that is in a person's possession unlawfully.'.

No. 70, in page 269, line 36, at end insert—

' "type A stamp" has the meaning given by paragraph 1(5)(a) above;

"type B stamp" has the meaning given by paragraph 1(5)(b) above.'.—[Dawn Primarolo.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That further consideration be now adjourned.—[Mr. Ainger.]

7.28 pm

Mr. Salmond : I should like to speak against that motion, if I may. It is 7.28 pm and we are debating the Finance Bill, which is a very important measure—arguably the most important of the parliamentary calendar. Several key issues were due to be debated today. The next groups of amendments deal with fuel duty, income tax, corporation tax, taxation in relation to historic houses, which I did not intend to speak on myself, although I am sure that it is a vital matter, pension scheme benefits and contributions and, finally, relief for petroleum exploration activities, on which I had prepared a few short remarks. I hope to have the opportunity to share that information with the House later this evening. My point is simple, and I was not intending to—[Interruption.]

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord): Order. Hon. Members must come to order and listen to the hon. Gentleman who is addressing the House.

Mr. Salmond: I was not intending to give the House the full extent of the remarks that I was going to make later this evening, but I am quite happy to do so if Members are enthusiastic enough to listen to them.

My point is a serious one. I do not think it right, when these matters in the Finance Bill have been set down for debate today, that the Government should announce their desire to pull stumps at 7.30 in the evening. I have
 
6 Jul 2004 : Column 810
 
no doubt that that has been done in co-operation with the official Opposition. As we know, however, on so many issues ranging from Iraq across the social and economic agenda, the official Opposition offer no opposition whatever. Everyone is aware of that, but some of us would like to go on debating the matters before us. I should like to hear from the Government, and from Treasury Ministers in particular, that provision will be made for us to discuss all these vital matters tomorrow or another day, and that the House will not be deprived of the opportunity to hear my remarks on petroleum exploration—[Interruption.] The Tories may giggle at that, but with so many jobs in Scotland—

Dawn Primarolo: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Mr. Salmond: Of course I will.

Dawn Primarolo: I am sure that if the hon. Gentleman had had time in his busy day to look at the Order Paper, he would have seen that we have six and a half hours tomorrow to discuss the remaining business. That will be ample time and he will be able to make his contribution then.

Mr. Salmond: I always feel a great friendship towards the right hon. Lady because, a few years ago in a Budget debate, she was one of the few Members who supported an intervention about the poll tax and a few other things in the middle of Lord Lawson's Budget. She had the strength and integrity at that time—and I dare say that she has carried them through into her Government position—to see a point of justice when it was made. She says that we have six hours tomorrow, but I note that we have already spent a considerable amount of time on our debate today, and we have reached only the seventh or eighth group of amendments.

I have not detained the House up until now. My colleagues have not detained the House either; they have restricted their remarks to the vital Scottish interest of tax labelling on whisky. I want some indication that, if we continue to make progress at this rate, time will be allowed for us to get to the vital matters that I and others want to debate. We had the choice to stay here beyond 7.30 this evening and to take the appropriate time for our debate, and I think that hon. Members should be prepared to stay later. That is what our constituents would expect of us. The Minister's saying that there are six hours tomorrow does not guarantee that proper time will be available to debate these vital issues. I would be happy to give way to her again, if she can give me an assurance on that. I really would like a wee bit more than to be told that there are six hours tomorrow, when we have already spent that amount of time on our debate today and made very little progress.

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