§ Mr. Doverasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has that small businesses involved in take-away food have encountered difficulties since 1 May.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to the reply, 5 July 1984, c. 214.]: I am aware of the representations that have been made by small businesses involved with take-away foods and of reports of a reduction in demand during the early weeks of the imposition of VAT on hot take-away foods. It is too soon to form a reliable assessment of whether there is any longer term effect.