Increase of Value Added Tax

Part of Clause 1 – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 18 July 1979.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Peter Rees Mr Peter Rees , Dover and Deal 12:00, 18 July 1979

Whatever the motives that led Labour Members to put down the amendment, their contributions to the debate have generated more heat than light. They have described myself and my hon. Friends at varying points as ignoramuses, Neanderthal men, crass philistines and blue meanies. The hon. Member for Renfrewshire, West (Mr. Buchan) asked why there were not more Tories in the Chamber to support the amendment. I believe that that is because they do not take it seriously, for reasons that have emerged during the debate. We are not debating the attachment of either party to culture in the round or who is more dedicated to the support and advancement of culture. We are debating a precise and specific issue—whether a particular element of our cultural activities or, as my hon. Friend the Member for Dorking (Mr. Wickenden) chose to put it, a particular aspect of the entertainment industry should be exempt from VAT.

Labour Members are apt to affect to speak for the ordinary working person, as they choose to describe him. In the debate there have been speeches as supercilious as any I have heard in my limited time in the House. I hope that the hon. Member for Renfrewshire, West will explain how he reconciles his position in the debate with the attitude adopted to other aspects of VAT when Labour Members affect to have a monopoly of compassion and understanding of what the ordinary working person thinks. My hon. Friend the Member for Dorking spoke with a good deal of earthy common sense and probably more truly appreciated the sentiments of ordinary working people than the hon. Member for Renfrewshire, West. That, however, is not the point of the debate.