HC Deb 24 November 1983 vol 49 cc439-40
1. Mr. Stern

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Inland Revenue will publish a list of bodies approved under section 192 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 for the purpose of deduction from income of fees, contributions or annual subscriptions paid to such bodies.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Peter Rees)

I understand that the Inland Revenue is considering how soon such a list can be published, and I hope that this will be in the not-too-distant future.

Mr. Stern

Will my right hon. and learned Friend recommend to the Inland Revenue that it should expedite that policy, as under the present system the taxpayer has no protection against Inland Revenue error and has no way of being certain of how to calculate his tax bill?

Mr. Rees

I well understand my hon. Friend's concern, which is shared by the Institute of Chartered Accountants. It is in deference to his and its views, and because of the wider principles involved, that publication will be authorised. My hon. Friend will understand that. as it will be a considerable document of about 80 pages, the administration implications are not as small as he and the House might imagine.