11. 9. Debate: Stage 3 of the Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Bill – in the Senedd at 4:53 pm on 28 March 2017.
Mark Drakeford
Labour
4:54,
28 March 2017
Diolch, Llywydd. In group 4, a few moments ago, we debated a set of changes to improve the fairness of the operation of the higher rates surcharge, and the amendments in this group return to that theme. In my letter to the Finance Committee on 15 February, I set out my intention to bring forward changes in this group, which seek to ensure that a dwelling acquired and held by a deputy on behalf of a minor who lacks mental capacity, in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, is not deemed to be acquired or owned by that child’s parents.
Once again, this anomaly in current SDLT legislation was identified through engagement with technical experts. The objective of this group of amendments, then, is to make the legislation fairer, and ensure that incapacitated minors and their court-appointed deputies are not disadvantaged as a result of the LTT surcharge.
The result of Amendment 14 is that when determining whether the higher rate applies to circumstances where an incapacitated child’s interest in acquired, held on trust, or disposed of by a deputy acting on their behalf, any interest held by the child’s parents in a separate property will be unconnected. This change will make the legislation fairer by ensuring that the child’s interest in a property is not subject to the higher rates charge. Equally, any transaction by the parents of an incapacitated child in these circumstances will be considered independently of the child’s property interests.
Amendment 21 has the same effect as amendment 14, the differentiation being it is applied in relation to interests outside of Wales. Llywydd, it’s anticipated that there will be a very small number of cases in which these rules apply, and that this will have a minimal impact on revenues. The use of these rules will be kept under review, but I hope that in the interest of fairness they will be supported by the Assembly this afternoon.
Mark Drakeford
Labour
4:56,
28 March 2017
Formally.
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
The question is that Amendment 15 be agreed. Does any Member object? Amendment 15 is agreed.
Mark Drakeford
Labour
4:57,
28 March 2017
Move.
Elin Jones
Plaid Cymru
The question is that Amendment 16 be agreed. Does any Member object? Amendment 16 is agreed.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.
The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
