First elected: 7th June 2001
Left House: 30th March 2015 (Defeated)
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
These initiatives were driven by Tom Harris, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Tom Harris has not been granted any Urgent Questions
A Bill to make provision for statutory entitlement to leave of absence from employment for bereaved parents; and for connected purposes.
Tom Harris has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Government wants to ensure that any proposals on European copyright reform serve to deepen the digital single market, promote innovation, and continue to ensure that writers and other creators are rewarded for their work.
The Government will be engaging with the European Commission across the digital single market agenda to promote a single market which supports economic growth and enables businesses, creators and consumers to enjoy the opportunities presented by the digital economy.
The creative industries are a great success story for the UK, and the importance of the publishing sector has been illustrated in the recently published creative industries statistics (January 2014), which show its worth of £9.7bn in 2012, employment of nearly a quarter of a million people, and worth of £1.25bn in export of services in 2011.
The Department has made no direct assessment of the effect of growth in the UK market for eBooks on authors, publishers and readers; however, the existence of digital platforms, such as eBooks, increases the multimedia possibilities for authors and publishers, and provides consumers with more choice. The sector is continuing to seize the opportunities presented by digital technologies and the UK eBook industry is continuing to develop even further.
The creative industries are a great success story for the UK, and the importance of the publishing sector has been illustrated in the recently published creative industries statistics (January 2014), which show its worth of £9.7bn in 2012, employment of nearly a quarter of a million people, and worth of £1.25bn in export of services in 2011.
The Department has made no direct assessment of the effect of growth in the UK market for eBooks on authors, publishers and readers; however, the existence of digital platforms, such as eBooks, increases the multimedia possibilities for authors and publishers, and provides consumers with more choice. The sector is continuing to seize the opportunities presented by digital technologies and the UK eBook industry is continuing to develop even further.
We do not collect data on the number of primary or secondary schools that provide a specifically designated library for their pupils.
The Government is fully supportive of school libraries and aware of the important role they play in encouraging young people to read for pleasure. We know that many headteachers recognise the role libraries can play in improving young people’s literacy and ensure that suitable library facilities are provided.
The impact of the reclassification on the government’s financial position is set out in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook as at March 2014.
Public Sector Net Debt (PSND) is not currently geographically split and so only overall Public Sector Net Debt (PSND) has increased.
The UK applies the standard rate of VAT to digital books and the zero rate of VAT to physical books.
The application of VAT in the EU, including rates and flexibilities afforded to Member States in this regard, is governed by EU law. The sale of a digital book is classified as an electronic service and attracts the standard rate of VAT under EU law.
Legal advice obtained by the Government indicates there is no scope to change the VAT treatment of the sale of digital book and similar products under EU law. As such, no assessments have been made of the type referred to by the honourable Member.
From 1 January 2015, VAT legislation across the EU will change to tax the supply of broadcasting, telecoms and electronically supplied services (including e-books) at the place of consumption.
HMRC has published information on the VAT changes which includes a summary of the impacts:
The UK applies the standard rate of VAT to digital books and the zero rate of VAT to physical books.
The application of VAT in the EU, including rates and flexibilities afforded to Member States in this regard, is governed by EU law. The sale of a digital book is classified as an electronic service and attracts the standard rate of VAT under EU law.
Legal advice obtained by the Government indicates there is no scope to change the VAT treatment of the sale of digital book and similar products under EU law. As such, no assessments have been made of the type referred to by the honourable Member.
From 1 January 2015, VAT legislation across the EU will change to tax the supply of broadcasting, telecoms and electronically supplied services (including e-books) at the place of consumption.
HMRC has published information on the VAT changes which includes a summary of the impacts:
The UK applies the standard rate of VAT to digital books and the zero rate of VAT to physical books.
The application of VAT in the EU, including rates and flexibilities afforded to Member States in this regard, is governed by EU law. The sale of a digital book is classified as an electronic service and attracts the standard rate of VAT under EU law.
Legal advice obtained by the Government indicates there is no scope to change the VAT treatment of the sale of digital book and similar products under EU law. As such, no assessments have been made of the type referred to by the honourable Member.
From 1 January 2015, VAT legislation across the EU will change to tax the supply of broadcasting, telecoms and electronically supplied services (including e-books) at the place of consumption.
HMRC has published information on the VAT changes which includes a summary of the impacts:
The UK applies the standard rate of VAT to digital books and the zero rate of VAT to physical books.
The application of VAT in the EU, including rates and flexibilities afforded to Member States in this regard, is governed by EU law. The sale of a digital book is classified as an electronic service and attracts the standard rate of VAT under EU law.
Legal advice obtained by the Government indicates there is no scope to change the VAT treatment of the sale of digital book and similar products under EU law. As such, no assessments have been made of the type referred to by the honourable Member.
From 1 January 2015, VAT legislation across the EU will change to tax the supply of broadcasting, telecoms and electronically supplied services (including e-books) at the place of consumption.
HMRC has published information on the VAT changes which includes a summary of the impacts:
The UK applies the standard rate of VAT to digital books and the zero rate of VAT to physical books.
The application of VAT in the EU, including rates and flexibilities afforded to Member States in this regard, is governed by EU law. The sale of a digital book is classified as an electronic service and attracts the standard rate of VAT under EU law.
Legal advice obtained by the Government indicates there is no scope to change the VAT treatment of the sale of digital book and similar products under EU law. As such, no assessments have been made of the type referred to by the honourable Member.
From 1 January 2015, VAT legislation across the EU will change to tax the supply of broadcasting, telecoms and electronically supplied services (including e-books) at the place of consumption.
HMRC has published information on the VAT changes which includes a summary of the impacts: