Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant Bill

John Bercow Excerpts

Tuesday 26th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Newton]

You are making a very powerful speech for us this evening, and I completely agree with you about the importance of savings and of encouraging a savings culture. However, I am rather disappointed by the glib response to my hon. Friend the Member for South Staffordshire (Gavin Williamson), who asked how Labour Members would pay for those benefits. Every time that question is raised, Labour Members say that we should tax the rich. What calculation has the hon. Gentleman made of the effect of increasing taxes to 70%, 80% or 90%? Is that where you would like to go? And what estimation—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I gently say to the hon. Lady, first, that I am not going anywhere—the debate goes through the Chair—and, secondly, that interventions from now on must be short, because there is a lot of pressure on time and several hon. Members want to contribute.

[Alex Cunningham]

I have never had a problem with taxing the rich a little bit more. If that means a penny on income tax, I would be fine with it, although I do not know what encouragement I would get from my Front Benchers.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

There is no formal time limit on Back-Bench speeches in this debate, but it might help the House if I mention that no fewer than nine hon. Members—all, as it happens, on the Opposition side of the House—are seeking to catch my eye. The Front-Bench winding-up speeches will begin no later than 9.40 pm. I know that hon. Members can do the arithmetic for themselves and I am sure that they will want to help each other.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We have just over 40 minutes, and I still have seven names on my list.

--- Later in debate ---

[Catherine McKinnell]

Am I the last speaker?

[Mr Speaker]

Yes.

[Catherine McKinnell]

In that case, I will give way.