§ 20. Mr. McFallTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with representatives of charities and voluntary bodies on the possible imposition of VAT on their activities.
§ Mr. NelsonNone.
§ 23. Ms. HoeyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the removal of VAT payable on items of sanitary protection.
§ Mr. NelsonI have received a number on the subject.
§ 24. Mr. FatchettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning rates of VAT.
§ Mr. NelsonMany representations have been received and these will be considered in the run-up to the Budget.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the relative cost of sending publications by post in the United Kingdom and the other member states of the EC, when considering the question of extending VAT to books and magazines.
§ Sir John Cope[holding answer 2 March 1993]: My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the differing costs arid VAT rates in member states on publications sent by post. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further in the period leading up to the Budget.