Northern Ireland (Finance)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 4 August 1972.

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I agree with the hon. Member for Belfast, South that in certain circumstances there is an argument for a variation in VAT in Northern Ireland. The basic industry in Northern Ireland is agriculture and the farmers of Northern Ireland face great difficulties since they depend largely on imported feeding-stuffs. If these feeding-stuffs are to be subject to VAT to the extent that is envisaged, the farming community will suffer in great measure; as we go into the Common Market, they will find themselves more and more on the periphery of the whole set-up. I hope that the Minister will give this matter his careful attention.