§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that there are still many applications for Certificate 715 outstanding, if he will extend the date to which a letter of approval will suffice beyond 5th July.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 7th July 1977; Vol. 934, c.] gave the following information:
It is estimated that there are about 17,000 applications for certificates still being dealt with Of these, approximately 5,000 have been successful and certificates will be issued within about 14 days Virtually all the rest are awaiting action by the applicants to put their tax affairs in order. In these circumstances, I do not believe that an extension of the special transitional arrangements beyond 5th July is called for.