§ Mr. Peter AtkinsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) of 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 471, when he expects to make a final decision to confirm the withdrawal of the practices which permit professional businesses to pay tax on profits on a cash basis. [29580]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 16 February 1998]: The consultation period ended on 14 February. We will be considering the various points made on the proposals, including those concerning the timing of their implementation. There will be no announcement of any decision on the withdrawal of the cash basis practices in advance of my right hon. Friend's Budget.
§ Mr. Peter AtkinsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) of 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 477, what representations he has received following the decision to withdraw the practices which permit some professional businesses to pay tax on profits worked out on a cash basis. [29579]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 16 February 1998]: The Inland Revenue Press Release issued on 22 December invited comments on the proposals to withdraw the cash basis practices available to professionals. The Inland Revenue has received a large number of responses and I myself have received several. The Inland Revenue has also had a number of meetings with representative bodies, including the Law Society, the Bar Council, and the different accountancy bodies. The consultation period ended on 14 February. Thereafter we will be considering the various points made on the proposals.