HC Deb 28 April 1977 vol 930 cc1479-80
16. Mr. Ridley

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons who have applied for No. 714 certificates have not been given a decision, to date; and how many who have been given a favourable decision have still not been given certificates.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

At the latest count, on 14th April, about 47,000 applicants had not been given a final decision either way, although the great majority of them had been told why their applications could not at present be approved. It is not possible to say exactly how many successful applicants have not yet received their certificates, but on 14th April about 10,000 certificates were in the course of production.

Mr. Ridley

Is not this one of the greatest administrative disasters to have befallen even this Government? Does not the Financial Secretary think that it is disastrous that he should be encouraging firms to pay sub-contractors gross on the strength of an Inland Revenue letter whereas the law explicitly makes cleat that that is against the law?

Mr. Sheldon

The hon. Gentleman has sought to hold up the undertaking that had been given by this Government to end the lump. I make no complaint about that. But since our legislation is at present operating successfully without the calamities that the hon. Gentleman foresaw, with the vast majority of those concerned having received their certificates and with only 10,000 certificates in the course of production, which will take no more than two to three weeks, it is clear that the scheme is working well, and the House should welcome that fact.

Mr. Ridley

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.