§ Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total to date of VAT on telephone charges; and what was the average amount per subscriber.
§ Dr. GilbertI understand that the total VAT charged on telephone bills issued up to 31st March was £72 million. The tax payable by businesses registered for VAT could, however, be reclaimed as input tax. The amount charged to residential subscribers was £32½ million, an average of £3.85 per residential subscriber.
§ Mr. Cormackasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many recent representations he has received on the question of women's institutes and their liability for VAT; and what replies he has sent.
§ Dr. GilbertI have received about 650 letters on this subject. My replies have explained why my right hon. Friend is satisfied that it would not be right to amend the law to relieve subscriptions to women's institutes from value added tax.
§ Mr. David Youngasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue a statement on the application of VAT to kidney machines purchased by public subscription.
§ Dr. GilbertI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk).