§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Inland Revenue has taken to ensure that pensioners are made aware of the need to return their self-assessment forms in time; and what proposals he has to allow an extension of time for such people. [23458]
§ Dawn PrimaroloOnly a small minority of pensioners are required to complete self assessment tax returns. The Inland Revenue has produced written guidance about people who receive pensions, explaining the time limit for completing their returns, and the Inland Revenue's publicity campaign has included a significant amount of advertisement on national television and radio, designed to raise awareness of the filing date amongst all sections of the population affected by self assessment. As I explained to the hon. Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders) on 14 January, there are no plans to extend the filing date of 31 January 1998.