Tuesday, 15 March 1988
The House met at half-past Two o'clock
[MR. SPEAKER in the Chair]
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the effect of the proposed national curriculum on the percentage of students who go on to university.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that women are represented on (a) the Universities Funding Council and (b) the Polytechnics and Colleges...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his statement on 29 February, Official Report, column 722, what representations he has received from Professor Des Smith FRS,...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now expects his review of higher education student funding to be completed; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increase has been made in real terms in the spending per pupil in primary schools in each year since 1979.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the implications for safety in schools of the current state of pen top safety.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recommendations his Department has made to local education authorities to promote equal opportunities in primary and secondary schools.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for increasing the number of places available to students in higher education; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support he is giving to the Medical Research Council for research into AIDS-related dementia.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much it will cost to build the city technology college in Nottingham; how much of the cost will be met by the Government; and if he...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on the proposed national curriculum and the feasibility of implementing and maintaining it.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of assisted places in (a) 1980–81 and (b) 1987–88.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what adjustment will be made to the level of student grants, in view of the Government's poll tax proposals.
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding the impact of the Education Reform Bill upon Catholic schools.
To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 15 March 1988.
Before I call the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it may be for the convenience of hon. Members if I remind them that at the end of the Chancellor's speech, as in past years, copies of the Budget...
I start with the economic background. The strength and durability of the economic upswing has now exceeded all post-war records. We are about to enter our eighth successive year of sustained...
Meanwhile, the maintenance of sound money and prudent public finances will keep us in the best possible position to weather any storms we may face, either at home or abroad. The medium-term...
As I pointed out a moment ago, a sound monetary policy needs to be buttressed by a prudent fiscal stance. At one time, it was regarded as the hallmark of good government to maintain a balanced...
I indicated at the outset that this will be a radical, tax-reforming Budget. Over the past few years there has been increasing recognition, throughout the industrialised world, of the importance...
My first reform concerns the taxation of marriage. The present system for the taxation of married couples goes back 180 years. It taxes the income of a married woman as if it belonged to her...
I turn now to business taxation. The major reform of business taxation, which I introduced in 1984 and which was completed in 1986, has given us one of the lowest corporation tax rates in the...
I now turn to an important area of personal taxation which is ripe for reform and simplification: the taxation of payments made under deeds of covenant and maintenance arrangements. Covenants to...
I now turn to the taxation of spending. I have one change to propose today affecting the coverage of value added tax, which will remain at 15 per cent. Confectionery was brought in to VAT by the...
I now turn to taxes on capital. The emergence of the capital-owning democracy has been one of the most remarkable features of the 1980s. Encouraged by Government policy, more than 2½...
I now turn to income tax. The way to a strong economy is to boost incentives and enterprise. And that means, among other things, keeping income tax as low as possible. Income tax has now been...
Mr. Deputy Speaker, in this Budget, I have reaffirmed the prudent polices which have brought us unprecedented economic strength. I have announced a radical reform of the taxation of marriage,...
Motion made, and Question put, pursuant to Standing Order No. 50 (Ways and Means motions),That, pursuant to section 5 of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968, provisional statutory effect...
Motion made, and Question proposed,That it is expedient to amend the law with respect to the National Debt and the public revenue and to make further provision in connection with finance; but...
I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that the Queen has signified Her Royal Assent to the following Acts: 1. Consolidated Fund Act 19882. Land Registration...
Order for Third Reading read.
Order for Second Reading read.
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Kenneth Carlisle.]
Debates in the House of Commons are an opportunity for MPs from all parties to scrutinise government legislation and raise important local, national or topical issues.
And sometimes to shout at each other.