HC Deb 04 November 1969 vol 790 cc815-6
16. Mr. Donald Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it has cost to print and insert invitations to pay taxes due through the National Giro System.

Mr. Taverne

The cost to date has been about £19,000.

Mr. Williams

Would not the Financial Secretary agree that this is a rather expensive way of advertising the use of the new Giro system? Is he able to say how many people have been taking advantage of or using this method of paying their taxes?

Mr. Taverne

It is not an expensive method of advertising, because it can produce in due course a considerable saving. It is too early to say how many have taken advantage of it, but I can tell the hon. Member that some 80,000 employers have said that they would like to take advantage of the facility when it is extended to P.A.Y.E. next April, and this would indicate a very considerable advantage indeed.