HC Deb 02 December 1969 vol 792 c1289
38. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will modify the tax-free over-the-counter sales scheme introduced recently for visitors from abroad.

Mr. Diamond

The scheme will be reviewed at the end of the year, in consultation with the principal trade organisations concerned.

Mr. Mills

Would the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the scheme is unduly complicated for small export orders and causes excessive paper work for comparatively small refunds? Has he the figures available for the average refund and the cost of making each refund on each export order, which I believe is comparatively minor?

Mr. Diamond

I have not got that information. It will be included in the review, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that my information is that in general the scheme seems to be working quite smoothly.