§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of his announcement of a review of the VAT exemption on the position of those charities appealing to the VAT and Duties Tribunal against the imposition of VAT on welfare services provided by them. [58306]
§ Ms HewittCustoms and Excise are asking the VAT and Duties Tribunal temporarily to suspend appeals by charities, while they consult interested parties on the circumstances in which home support services will be exempt from VAT as charity welfare services.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much has been paid in VAT by charities for the provision of home support services in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [58307]
(2) how many charities are currently liable for VAT for the provision of home support services. [58308]
§ Ms HewittThere are no specific data on the numbers of charities accounting for VAT on their supplies of home support services, or on the amount of that VAT. In light of a recent Tribunal decision Customs are reviewing their policy on charity welfare services and are consulting interested parties to agree the circumstances in which home support services will be exempt from VAT.
§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlie the delay in publishing the response to the consultation arising from the review of charities taxation; and if he will make a statement. [58194]
§ Ms HewittI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley) on 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 40.