VALUE ADDED TAX

Early day motion 342, tabled 22 February 1999 by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 80 members.

That this House regrets the failure of Her Majesty's Government to honour their commitment to address the issue of VAT on continence products; notes that the Chancellor condemned the imposition of VAT on continence products whilst in opposition; further notes that the then Minister of State at the Department of Health demonstrated concern at the situation in 1997; further notes that following the reimposition of VAT on continence pads by the Treasury in January 1998, the honourable Member for Darlington committed his Department to 'identify ways of overcoming any financial effects which may have resulted from the VAT Order', 2nd February, Official Report, column 511; further notes that in a letter to the Continence Campaign on 26th January the honourable Member for Southampton, Itchen rejected additional funding in compensation for the effects of the Order; further notes that failure to address the issue has enforced a continuing indignity on an overlooked section of the community; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to compensate the NHS for lost VAT at £11.25 million, as identified by the Government, 2nd March 1998, Official Report, column 487, and to reverse the effects of SI 1997/2744.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 28, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 3, Independent 1.