§ Mr. Dubsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current period of delay before cheques received by the Inland Revenue are cashed; and what is his estimate of the value of such cheques at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. RidleyMost cheques ar lodged with a bank within 24 hours of receipt. Normally encashment follows within two working days. On average about £170 million is received, in cheques, each day at Inland Revenue offices.