Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. In asking a question of the Chancellor regarding London commodity markets and their impact on smallholder farmers around the world following his statement last Thursday, I inadvertently failed to draw Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I wish to do so now and apologise for the oversight.
Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo)
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for putting that information on the record. He has been quite ingenious in using a point of order to do so. I am sure that the House is grateful for that correction.
Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. You will know that when there is an equality of voices in this House, that is the only time when the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker is able to vote. In the other House, it is quite the reverse: the Speaker or the Chairperson of a Committee is able to vote twice, both in their own right and then if there is an equality of votes. If the new Committee that is to be set up is set up as a Joint Committee, traditionally that has meant that the rules of the House of Lords apply rather than those of the House of Commons. That would mean that the Chairman of the Committee, who is a Member of this House, would have two votes. Is that correct?
Madam Deputy Speaker
I am advised that the hon. Gentleman is correct in his analysis of the rules with regard to the requirements on voting and whether a situation would apply in the circumstances that he has described. I am grateful for his point of order. Perhaps I could ask him to leave it with me at this point so that I can take further advice from the Government and the Clerks as to whether that is the true intention of the Government.
Finance Bill (Ways and Means)
Resolved,
That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill about face-value vouchers.—(Mr Gauke.)
Finance Bill (Ways and Means) (No. 2)
Resolved,
That provision may be made in the Finance Bill amending the descriptions of supplies which are zero-rated, exempt or subject to a reduced rate of value added tax.—(Mr Gauke.)
Finance Bill (Ways and Means) (No. 3)
Resolved,
That provision (including provision having retrospective effect) may be made in the Finance Bill about the treatment of arrangements involving settled property.—(Mr Gauke.)