§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the value added tax returns received in respect of the periods ended 30th June 1973, 31st July, 31st August and 30th September have had to be returned due to their being inadequately completed.
§ Mr. HigginsPrecise figures are not available. The collection of such figures would have required an uneconomic use of resources.
§ Mr. Biffenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will zero-rate land drainage works in the light of recent decisions by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.
§ Mr. HigginsMuch land drainage work is likely to be eligible for zero rating under Group 8 of Schedule 4 to the Finance Act 1972 as being in the course of the construction of a civil engineering work; and farmers who are registered for VAT will, subject to the normal rules, be able to recover as input tax the tax charge to them on any land drainage work which is not eligible for zero rating.
§ Mr. Warrenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the expenditure of money and time involved in the collection and payment of tax by companies producing feature material for the newspaper Press when the newspapers themselves are zero rated, after which the tax collectors repay the money previously collected; and if he will review the need for this aspect of the tax system.
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§ Mr. HigginsThere is no available information on which an estimate can be made; the operation of the tax is kept under continuous review.