division_name: Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation - 2. Sparkling cider (rate of duty)
motion: <p>[Relevant documents: The Second Report from the Treasury Committee, Session 1998-99, on the World Economy and the Pre-Budget Report (HC 91-I), and the Fourth Report from the Environmental Audit Committee, Session 1998-99, on the Pre-Budget Report (HC 93).] 
  
   
  
  <p>
  An official from the Department of Social Security said:
  <p> 
   
  "There are going to be people"--
  <p>
  The Secretary of State for Social Security acknowledged in his opening remarks that that is not true. Table B13 on page 159 of the Red Book shows that social security spending has been revised up by &#163;1.9 billion since November. That tells us that, on my fifth point, the Chancellor is talking plain nonsense about social security spending. To suggest that it is going down, when the Secretary of State for Social Security has now admitted that it is going up, is pretty deceitful.
  <p>
  I say three cheers for the Chancellor's obsession.Probably the most moving letter that I have received since my election to the House was from the father of a 21-year-old woman who had never had a job and lacked confidence in her own abilities. She went on new deal and is now working in a nursery. She is fulfilling her potential and contributing to society. She wanted to do both, and that is now possible through the new deal.
  <p>Question put and agreed to. 
  <p>Resolved, 
  <p>That it is expedient to amend the law with respect to the National Debt and the public revenue and to make further provision in <p>connection with finance; but this Resolution does not extend to the making of any amendment with respect to value added tax so as to provide--
  <p> 
  (a) for zero-rating or exempting a supply, acquisition or importation;
   
  
   
  (b) for refunding an amount of tax;
   
  
   
  (c) for varying any rate at which that tax is at any time chargeable; or
   
  
   
  (d) for any relief, other than a relief which--
   
  
   
  (i) so far as it is applicable to goods, applies to goods of every description, and
   
  
   
  (ii) so far as it is applicable to services, applies to services of every description.
  <p>Motion made, and Question put, 
  <p>That--
  <p> 
  (1) In section 62(1A)(a) of the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979, for "&#163;45.05" there shall be substituted "&#163;161.20".
   
  
   
  (2) This Resolution shall have effect as from 6 o'clock in the evening of 9th March 1999.
   
  
   
  And it is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution should have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968.
  <p>The House divided:  Ayes 331, Noes 195.
  