§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to get the payment of monthly value added tax refunds to chemists engaged in National Health Service dispensing undertaken; when he expects payment of the January refunds to be made; and, if normal value added tax refunding is 576W than eight weeks, in each of the past five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. OrmeThe available information is tabulated below. The figures for retirement pension and old person's pension relate only to those cases for which records are held centrally. Approximately one-fifth of pensions are paid locally, mainly with the addition of supplementary benefit, and information on these could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures for widow's benefit are comprehensive.
not to be carried out, what steps he will take to assist chemists who face serious cash flow problems.
§ Mr. MoyleThe matters referred to in the first two parts of the question fall within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I understand, however, that because the VAT computer at Southend has been shut down by industrial action Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are unable for the time being to make repayments of VAT to chemists but that on the termination of industrial action they will try to ensure that repayments are resumed as quickly as possible. In the meantime, in order to case the cash flow problems of retail chemists, and to avoid possible interruption of service to patients, I am arranging for an enhanced payment on account of the amounts due to retail chemists in respect of the NHS dispensing to be paid to them at the beginning of April.