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Finance Bill

Certainly the letters that I have had from the beer industry, including small brewers, express the opinion that it is very unfair. Even with the 10 per cent. increase that we planned to introduce, the rate of duty on cider would still have been half that on beer. We were trying not to close the gap totally, but to bring the two closer together. The two largest companies produce more than 80 per cent. of cider, and under our proposed regulations the majority of cider makers—almost 400 of the smallest producers—would have been subject to special conditions and not affected. None the less, we have gone through a process of negotiation and consensus, and the measure will not be in the Bill, although when we are returned to Government we will bring it back. I believe that we have made the right choices through the duration of this global downturn. The Finance Bill continues the provision of help where it is needed most, and we are introducing measures in it to ensure that we can meet our commitment to halve the deficit over four years. I commend it to the House. Question put and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time.