HC Deb 02 December 1993 vol 233 cc640-1W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 November on payments by the VAT commissioners, what was the value of the VAT payable orders gone astray since 1 July 1988 subsequently recovered.

Sir John Cope

Of the total sum of £360,638, reported as gone astray in the previous answer £237,624.11 had been recovered as at 30 November 1993. The sums still outstanding continue to be subject to any possible further recovery action.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 November,Official Report, column 273, what inquiries he has instituted as to why traders do not take advantage of electronic transfer; and if he will make a statement.

Sir John Cope

Customs ask traders to provide bank account details on first registration, by an annual mailshot to verify registration details and when officers carry out visits to their premises.

The option of payment by electronic transfer or by payable order can be helpful to business, but the choice of method is a commercial decision for the trader.

Inquiries and general feedback to Customs indicate that a proportion of those who choose to receive payable orders do so to enable them to retain control over the sum, both as to destination and timing.