HC Deb 20 June 1972 vol 839 cc58-9W
Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Minister of Agriculturies, Fisheries and Food how many live sheep and cattle, respectively, were exported to the European Economic Community countries during each of the past five years.

Mr. Peter Mills

The following are the figures:

Scotland after the imposition of value added tax; and what representations he has had from these bodies.

Mr. Higgins

A church would be accountable for VAT only in respect of any taxable business activities, and it would, for that purpose, be treated in the same way as a commercial undertaking. No estimate of any revenue from churches in Scotland is available. The Churches Main Committee has written to my right hon. Friend and I have met a joint deputation from the Committee and the National Council of Social Service.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware of the concern felt by the Church of England that the imposition of value added tax will impose additional costs to that Church of £1 million per annum; and whether he will agree to meet representatives of that Church to discuss this problem;

(2) whether he is aware of the concern felt by the Roman Catholic Church that the imposition of value added tax will impose additional costs to this Church of £300,000 per annum; and whether he will agree to meet representatives of this Church to discuss these problems.

Mr. Higgins

I met a joint deputation from the National Council of Social Service and the Churches Main Committee, which included representatives from these two Churches, on 25th May.