Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Henry Smith Excerpts
Thursday 18th June 2015

(9 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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We have some magnificent people in our public sector who do a fine job for this country, but that fact does not remove the need for us to balance the budget or the need for this country to live within its means. That was the big division and argument between us at the general election, and the reality is that we won.

Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)
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After Chad, the UK charges the most passenger duty of anywhere in the world. Indeed, many of our European competitors do not charge any such tax. A recent PwC report highlighted the fact that if the tax were abolished, the economy would benefit by up to £2 billion. May we have a debate on the future of air passenger duty?

Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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Air passenger duty is one of the taxes that was introduced by the Labour Government and that I wish was lower. I am pleased that in government we have been able to freeze it and remove it for children. I know that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will continue to keep it under review and, after the Budget in early July, we will have extensive chances to debate air passenger duty and other taxes. I hope that my hon. Friend will take advantage of the opportunity.