§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why his Department insists upon applicants for self-employed tax exemption certificates being in possession of bank accounts; and why National Giro accounts are not accepted as an alternative.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonIt is one of the conditions of entitlement to a subcontractor's tax certificate, as laid down in Schedule 12 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1975, that the business is, to a substantial extent, carried on by means of an account with a bank. A National Giro account is acceptable for this purpose. If my hon. Friend knows of a case where a National Giro account has592W not been accepted, and will let me have details, I shall look into it.