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Finance Bill

I thank the Minister for that clarification; she has made the point perfectly. In the absence of what many would consider to be accurate information—whether or not interval bingo was included—or a correct calculation of the VAT to justify the increase, my judgment would be that the principle of fairness should apply. Licensed bingo clubs should therefore be taxed at 15 per cent., which is comparable to the rate applied to the other forms of gaming that I described earlier. That is what my amendment seeks to achieve. I seek to achieve that also for the reason that the hon. Member for Northampton, South (Mr. Binley) mentioned earlier. The importance of bingo in our communities cannot be overstated. I can think of many instances—including one in my own constituency—of licensed bingo clubs that are secure, and in which proper investment has been made providing good-quality entertainment, particularly for women and particularly in the middle of working class communities. To lose those facilities and that capacity would be devastating for social cohesion in certain communities.