HC Deb 05 May 1983 vol 42 cc112-3W
Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any endeavour is being made by Her Majesty's Government to amalgamate the information required by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and by the Inland Revenue in one return.

Mr. Ridley

Although simplification is desirable, I fear that a single return would be impracticable. Each Department requires widely differing information at different times.

Mr. Michael Brown

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there has been any extension of the experiment initiated in Leeds whereby the Inland Revenue was exchanging information freely with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and what conclusions have been reached as a result of this work.

Mr. Ridley

The experiment is currently still confined to the Leeds area. The recommendation by the Keith committee that it be extended nationwide will be considered in the light of that report as a whole.