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Finance Bill

It is a great pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath), who eloquently set out precisely why the measure proposed in the amendment would be of great benefit to people who live in remote and rural areas. First, I shall attempt to answer some of the points made by the hon. Member for South-West Hertfordshire (Mr. Gauke), because I do not believe that they should be allowed to pass unrebutted. I am sure that others will do the same, perhaps with more humour, but let me have a go. He said at the start of his speech that this subject comes up every year—that it is a hardy perennial. There is a good reason for that: it is a matter of great importance, especially to those of us who represent a part of the country that is in many ways very different from the rest of the country. If he wants the debate to cease, he could assist by encouraging his hon. Friends to vote in the right direction and helping us to persuade the Minister to accept our proposal. If the scheme were allowed on to the statute book, there would be no need to have this debate next year and in subsequent years.