The scope for tax cuts and tax reform over the next five years will be limited and the two Government parties recognised that in the manifestos they put before the people last summer and in the joint programme for Government, published in June. The Government did not make reckless promises, did not offer compensation to every group in the country and was in no way reckless with its fiscal policies when it went before the people. It is vital, however, that we preserve the progress that has been made, that we maintain low levels of taxation on enterprise, investment and employment and that we keep the public finances under firm control. Provided we do so, we will consolidate the gains made in recent years and will put the country on a sound footing for future growth.