---

Finance Bill

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the fact that in Britain we now have a 10 per cent. rate of capital gains tax for long-term investments means that Britain now has one of the most attractive tax regimes for small businesses to invest and grow? Does she recall that when that measure was first introduced in this House, Opposition Members of all parties attacked it on the grounds that it would lead to tax avoidance; and does she agree that had we taken their advice we would have denied British business and small business the real benefits that have flowed from that reform?