Clause 1
Planning-gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill
12:30 pm
Mark Francois (Shadow Minister, Treasury; Rayleigh, Conservative)
I assure the Committee that I shall be brief. This debate on clause 1 stand part has been an important opportunity to touch upon some of the background to the Bill and its proposed implementation. I have listened carefully to the Minister’s attempt to make a case for pre-legislative legislation, but I am afraid that, despite his usual courtesy, which I am the first to acknowledge, he has unfortunately not succeeded on this occasion.
The Government are still asking us to sanction around £50 million or more of public spending to keep alive their lead option to introduce a widely unpopular tax. Despite the blandishments of the Minister, I still believe that clause 1 should not stand part of the Bill and I would like to test the will of the Committee on that point.