§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of printing and distributing 73,000 copies of tax inquiry form P.265 to war pensioners.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonAbout £25,000.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the reasons for the delay between the pension increase in November 1975 and the distributing of 73,000 inquiries to war pensioners; and if he will exclude from tax assessment pensions received between the two dates.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonIt was not intended that the distribution of these inquiries should coincide with the date of the pension increase, and there is no question of tax becoming due as a result of the difference between the two dates. With regard to the tax position, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 12th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Rodgers).—[Vol. 899, c.796]
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the tax revenue expected as a result of his inquiries in connection with form P.265 to war pensioners.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI regret that information about the taxable income of war widows, on which to base an estimate, is not at present available.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of his answer 225W on 12th November 1975 (Official Report, column 796), he will now ask the Inland Revenue to send a letter to the 73,000 war widow recipients of form P.265 explaining that they will not be subject to increased tax in the current tax year 1975–76.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonTax offices will shortly be writing to these war widows to give them a full explanation of their tax position.