§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the effect that the industrial action at the Southend value-added tax computer centre is having on pharmacists.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe VAT computer at Southend has been shut down since 26 February because of industrial action and consequently repayments of VAT to pharmacists by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have been suspended. The National Pharmaceutical Association and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee have told me that, as a result, their members, in common with other retailers, are experiencing cash flow problems. In order to ease 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 NHS dispensing to be paid to them at the beginning of April.