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Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation

This has been a very fine debate, and possibly the best Budget Monday debate for some time, not least because of the number of final speeches from many retiring Members who, in most cases, have been here many more years than I. On the subject of final speeches, the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Browne) made no mention of where his leader's ““savage cuts”” would come from. We agree with the hon. Gentleman's comments on cider, but it is unfortunate that last year he called for a freeze in duty on spirits but not on cider. Indeed, he said in last year's debate, undermining his own case:"““Cider is not as widely drunk in my constituency as it once was””.—[Official Report, 12 May 2009; Vol. 492, c. 778.]" The Conservatives strongly support cider making in this country, and we oppose the RPI plus 10 per cent. rise in duty across the board.