VAT ON THE CORNISH PASTY

That this House notes with concern the Chancellor's proposals to add VAT to hot takeaway food from bakeries and supermarkets, including the humble Cornish pasty; further notes that thousands of people are employed in thepasty industry in Cornwall, which is worth millions of pounds to the Cornish economy; believes that adding 20 per cent VAT to the price of a pasty will undermine the industry and lead to a drop in sales and local job losses; and calls on the Government to exempt those foods which have significantly advanced Protected Geographical Indication status in Europe, like Cornwall's favourite food, from this proposal.