HC Deb 17 May 1973 vol 856 cc360-1W
Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is planning any increase in staff of the Customs and Excise, above the present 6,300, to deal with VAT, in view of the recent expansion in the workload.

Mr. Higgins

More staff will be allocated to VAT as necessary and as purchase tax work continues to run down.

Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many traders have registered for VAT since 31st March 1973.

Mr. Higgins

Approximately 35,000.

Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an analysis of the other categories of firms registered for VAT as given by him on 3rd May.

Mr. Higgins

The information required is as follows:

Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining and quarrying 170,504
Construction 132,434
Transport, communication, gas, electricity and water 39,486
Dealers 21,533
Public administration and defence 2,589

Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide an analysis of services categories of firms registered for VAT as given by him on 3rd May.

Mr. Higgins

The analysis is as follows:

Insurance, banking, finance and business services 27,012
Professional and scientific services 38,209
Miscellaneous services (i.e. those in Group 28 of the VAT Trade Classification List) 203,081

Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many registered VAT traders there are with annual sales of under £7,500.

Mr. Higgins

This information is not available.