Finance Bill

Debate between John Hemming and David Gauke

Monday 2nd July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

To be fair, that is not what my hon. Friend said, although I did not agree with everything that he did say on that issue. I shall take this opportunity to say a word or so about avoidance, because the Government are keen to address that.

[John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD)]

rose—

[Mr Gauke]

Before I do that, I give way to my hon. Friend.

[John Hemming]

I am a Government Back Bencher who is not massively enthusiastic about the reduction in the top rate; I think that the Laffer curve peak would be at a higher rate than is thought. However, will the Minister comment on the fact that the Labour party seems to have forgotten that it did nothing to close the transparent fiddles, which are so resented, when people have paid 1% or 2% in tax? Those transparent fiddles have been around for years and Labour did nothing to close those gaps.

Budget Leak Inquiry

Debate between John Hemming and David Gauke

Thursday 22nd March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I have answered the hon. Gentleman’s first point. I should also reiterate that we have a coalition, which means that there are negotiations and discussions involving both sides. It also means that the Budget tends to be finalised some days in advance of the Budget speech. That is quite a contrast to previous years, when revisions were made, documents pulped and decisions taken at the last minute. I think that we have a much better process, thanks to the discussions within the coalition and the involvement of the Office for Budget Responsibility.

[John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD)]

Does the Minister believe that the Opposition would improve by getting some consistency on whether information should or should not be released?

[Mr Gauke]

We can hope for consistency, but I am not an optimist on that front.