§ Mr. Beithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he advised television rental contractors that no rebate should be given to customers who made advance rental payments, which included payment of VAT at 25 per cent., in respect of that part of the period concerned for which only 8 per cent. VAT was ultimately decided to be applicable.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonNo. In the circumstances referred to, Customs and Excise said that they could make no refunds to the television rental firms who supplied the customers.
§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total 378W value of value added tax claimed by companies in respect of (a) motor car purchases, (b) motor car services purchases and (c) petrol and oil purchases from retail filling stations in each of the years 1970–71 to 1974–75.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonValue added tax was not introduced until 1st April 1973. Because persons registered for VAT are not burdened with the requirement to make returns of the tax charged or reclaimed on particular goods and services the information for the years 1973–74 and 1974–75 is not available. However, companies are not allowed to reclaim the VAT on their purchases of motor cars for use in their business.
§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings in administrative charges might be expected if the threshold for retailers for VAT were raised to £6,000.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Mitchell) on 6th February 1976.—[Vol. 904, c.774–5.]