division_name: Finance Bill
motion: <p>[Relevant documents: Minutes of Evidence from the Treasury Committee, Session 2000-01 on the 2001 Budget, HC 326-i to iv.] 
   
  <p>Order for Second Reading read. 
   
  
   
  <p>
   I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time.
   
  <p> 
   
  
   
    Notwithstanding the gravity of the foot and mouth situation, it is good to move Second Reading at a time when the fundamentals of our economy are stronger than they have been for a generation. Because of our reformed monetary framework, tough fiscal rules and prudent choices, we now have the lowest inflation for 30 years, and it is the lowest in the European Union; the lowest long-term interest rates for 35 years; the highest business investment for 40 years, at over 14 per cent. of gross domestic product; the lowest unemployment since 1975, with more people in work than ever before--more than 1.1 million more than in 1997; and sound public finances, cutting free of the millstone of debt run up by the Opposition when they were in government.
   
  <p>Question put,  That the Bill be now read a Second time:--
   
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 319, Noes 175.
   
  