Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Bob Russell Excerpts
Thursday 3rd July 2014

(9 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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Broadband is going extremely well in the UK, mainly because we are better together. We are working with Scotland and Wales to roll out broadband and 4G coverage. The hon. Gentleman should not be so modest: we have outstripped a lot of the Scandinavian countries. We have just laid 400 km of undersea cable to the highlands and islands. That could not have been done without the UK Government working with the devolved Government to bring broadband to our rural areas. We are better together.

Bob Russell Portrait Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD)
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Tourism is a major economic generator in Colchester. Does the Minister agree that the best way to support tourism is by reducing VAT on tourism to 5%? Will he have a chat with the Chancellor, please?

Helen Grant Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mrs Helen Grant)
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As my hon. Friend knows, VAT is a matter for the Chancellor. We keep all taxes under review, but there is no plan to reduce tax for the tourism sector.