– in the House of Commons at 5:48 pm on 30 November 2009.
David Taylor
Labour, North West Leicestershire
5:48,
30 November 2009
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Can you say whether you have had any indication from the Chancellor of the exchequer that he intends to confirm in a statement that non-domicile tax status will not apply to rich kids living in Richmond and Kingston unless and until those two boroughs secede from the United Kingdom?
Michael Lord
Deputy Speaker (Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
I am sure that it will be no surprise to the hon. Gentleman to hear that I have had no request for such a statement
Andrew Pelling
Independent, Croydon Central
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I enjoyed seeing the Christmas tree going up over this weekend when I was working here at the House, but I note that it was blown down this morning. Is there an appropriate place to raise issues about the safety of visitors and people working on the parliamentary estate now that we have seen the tree blown down? Is there a precedent for the Christmas tree falling down and is it a bad omen for anybody?
Michael Lord
Deputy Speaker (Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means)
All I can say to the hon. Gentleman is that steps are being taken to ensure that the tree is re-erected and I am sure that it will be put back safely.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
The Deputy speaker is in charge of proceedings of the House of Commons in the absence of the Speaker.
The deputy speaker's formal title is Chairman of Ways and Means, one of whose functions is to preside over the House of Commons when it is in a Committee of the Whole House.
The deputy speaker also presides over the Budget.
