HC Deb 28 June 1972 vol 839 cc377-8W
Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional payment he has proposed to make to experienced members of staff who have been given intensive preliminary training to act as instructors on value added tax.

Mr. Higgins

None. Instructional work is part of normal duty.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis experienced members of staff are selected for intensive preliminary training to act as instructors on value added tax.

Mr. Higgins

There was a large number of volunteers from whom instructors were selected on the basis of suitability for training duties.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been involved, in an instructional capacity, in the intensive preliminary training for a number of experienced members of staff to act as instructors on value added tax.

Mr. Higgins

Eighty-two.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average number of hours per day spent in training by the experienced members of staff receiving intensive preliminary training to act as instructors on value added tax.

Mr. Higgins

This information is not readily available.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the length of the intensive preliminary training given to experienced members of staff to act as instructors on value added tax.

Mr. Higgins

It is 6½ or 10 weeks according to the nature of the instruc- tional duties on which the individual officer is to be employed.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many experienced members of staff are to be given intensive preliminary training to act as instructors on value added tax, in the future, according to present plans.

Mr. Higgins

None. The phase of preliminary training has been completed.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many experienced members of staff are at present being given intensive preliminary training to act as instructors on value added tax.

Mr. Higgins

None. This preliminary training has been completed.

Mr. Michael Cocks

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many experienced members of staff have been given intensive preliminary training to act as instructors on value added tax.

Mr. Higgins

One hundred and seventy-three.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the matters discussed between him and the National Council of Social Services and the Churches in Committee on 20th May; to what extent these discussions dealt with the Churches' objections to the imposition of value added tax; and what was the result of these discussions.

Mr. Higgins

The subjects discussed include VAT, purchase tax, SET, estate duty and capital gains tax. Subsequently some further information has been provided by those represented at the meeting.