§ Mr. Edward Gardnerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of pre-paid first-class postage on official envelopes used for the collection of income and surtax and VAT for the financial year ended 5th April 1975.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonFirst-class reply paid envelopes are enclosed with notices of assessment to income tax and surtax, and with VAT return forms sent to536W traders. Government Departments pay postage at a composite rate, but if taxpayers' remittances were returned at public rates, the total cost in 1974–75 is estimated at about £400,000.
§ Mr. Edward Gardnerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the money that could be saved by using second-class postage on all official envelopes for the demand and collection of income and surtax and VAT during the present financial year ending 5th April 1976.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonNo such estimate has been made. The possible saving would have to be weighed against the interest cost to the Exchequer of even short delays in the receipt of tax.