Finance Bill


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Mr. Gauke: Given that swine flu is back in the news today, one potential issue is that employers might want to instigate checks and make them available to their employees in an attempt to respond to it, particularly in the autumn when there are likely to be concerns about swine flu again. In clause 55, it appears that an additional check in the course of the year would be taxable. I understand why it is not addressed in the legislation, but would the Treasury be willing to reconsider if concerns about swine flu increased and such checks became widely available?
Kitty Ussher: We are not planning to look at this again. A company wishing to undertake swine flu checks on its entire staff would do so for both humane and business continuity reasons. It is ultimately a commercial decision for the company. There are intense efforts across Government to ensure, through the national health service, an appropriate response to any future swine flu pandemic, and that will proceed as normal, regardless of where people work.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 55 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Ordered, That further consideration be now adjourned. —(Mr. Blizzard.)
2.21 pm
Adjourned till Tuesday 16 June at half-past Ten o’clock.
 
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