(Except Clauses 1, 4, 5, 9, 14, 22, 42, 56, 57, 124, 130 to 135, 138, 139, 148 and 184 and Schedules 5, 6, 19 and 25, and any new Clauses and Schedules tabled by Friday 9th May 2003 relating to excise duty on spirits or R&D tax credits for oil exploration.)
Finance Bill
12:00 pm
Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs, Conservative)
First, Sir Nicholas, I am glad to see that you have not lost so much weight that we do not recognise you.
We have explored the clause fully and have clarified it. The guidance notes do not quite make it clear what it is about, but I think that the balance of opinion is that it blocks up a scheme that needs to be blocked up. It contains a substantial penal element, and there is debate on whether such matters should be proportionate, but we do not wish to press the amendment to a vote. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 163 ordered to stand part of the Bill.