§ 8. Mr. Heddleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in connection with the financial difficulties experienced by farmers as a result of delays in value added tax repayment.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have received representations on this subject from the National Farmers Union, the United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trades Association, several hon. Members and a number of individual farmers.
§ Mr. HeddleIn the event of the Civil Service unions accepting the Government's latest offer, will my right hon. Friend do all that he can to ensure that the VAT office swiftly refunds the £150 million owed to British agriculture? Does he acknowledge that enormous hardship is being heaped upon British agriculture by the unofficial strike action, having particular regard to the fact that some farmers and growers are unable to offset PAYE and schedule D payments against VAT?
§ Mr. WalkerI am well aware that that has caused considerable difficulties, especially for some of our smaller farmers. Although the VAT office is not my departmental responsibility, I know that if the strike is settled my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in regard to VAT repayments, and my Department, in regard to capital grants and other payments to farmers, will take every action to get the money to the farmers as quickly as possible.