HC Deb 26 April 1993 vol 223 cc292-3W
Ms Harman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the revenue raised from his proposal to charge value added tax on supplies of fuel and power for domestic, residential and charity non-business use will be attributable to the standing charges paid by customers in their gas and electricity bills.

Sir John Cope

Standing charges account for around 12 per cent. of total expenditure on domestic fuel and power.

Ms Harman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the revenues raised from his proposal to charge value added tax on supplies of fuel and power for domestic, residential and charity non-business use he expects to be paid(a) by charities and (b) by private households.

Sir John Cope

It is estimated that around 1 per cent. of the additional yield from extending VAT to all fuel and power is likely to be paid by charities. We expect almost all of the remaining additional yield will be in respect of private housholds, although there is no reliable information on the expenditure by non-private households on fuel and power.

Ms Harman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Director General of Gas Supply or the Director General of Electricity Regulation on his proposal to charge value added tax on supplies of fuel and power for domestic, residential and charity non-business use.

Sir John Cope

My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions.

Ms Harman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has met representatives of organisations for elderly people to discuss his proposal to charge value added tax on supplies of fuel and power for domestic, residential and charity non-business use.

Sir John Cope

No such meetings have been held.