division_name: Finance Bill - Hydrocarbon oil duties
motion: <p>Considered in Committee. 
   <p> 
   Question proposed,  That the clause stand part of the Bill.<p>
  I did not take that at face value. Being a diligent Member of the House, I wanted to examine that claim in greater detail, so I telephoned Mr. Healey to ask him some questions and to justify his assertion. He told me that his &#163;800,000 turnover business was suffering an increase of &#163;25,000 per annum as a result of the escalator. That is &#163;25,000 in additional overheads for a small business. Those of us who have been in business appreciate just how significant that is in annual terms for such a business. It will undoubtedly push some businesses such as Mr. Healey's to the brink of disaster. It will certainly mean that they cannot expand.
  <p>The Committee divided:  Ayes 305, Noes 177.
  