§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average period of delay between the time when the value added tax office receives the appropriate value added tax returns and its payment of value added tax drawback on exports; and what steps he is taking to ensure that this delay is reduced.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonOn average, VAT repayment claims are paid within less than 14 days of their receipt by Customs and Excise. I regard this as satisfactory. Separate information about claims made by exporters is not available, but these are subject to the same procedures as other VAT repayment claims.