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Value Added Tax

I do not think it did, so the right hon. Gentleman could accuse me of quoting selectively; I did on that occasion. Tax is one mechanism. The other mechanism that provides a much more direct fiscal stimulus is the use of public investment. We welcome the bringing forward of public works projects, but I noted in an earlier intervention in the Chamber that the overall effect of the Government's proposals in relation to capital spending is to reduce Government public investment over the next few years, which is not the kind of support that will be needed in what I fear will be a prolonged recession. We ought to be discussing in more detail the kind of measures that can be undertaken in relation to social housing, which is currently frozen because of the difficulties in housing associations, to which I referred in Prime Minister's questions; the opportunity to roll out much more effectively a programme of home insulation, which is happening at a snail's pace; investments in public transport, and others.