§ Mr. Onslowasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total annual sum so far collected by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in VAT payments from creditors of companies in liquidation, under Section 33(2) of the Finance Act 1972; and if he will now seek by legislation to allow suppliers to obtain relief from tax on bad debts.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe information requested in the first part of the Question is not available. My right hon. Friend has at present no plans for legislating about VAT on bad debts, but he is keeping the matter under review.
§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reduction or cutback of intended development has been made in the facilities for the collection of VAT, especially in numbers of persons employed to collect it; what is the estimated saving of any such reduction; and what is the value of VAT lost as a con- 802W sequence of inability properly to administer and enforce the collection of it.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThere are no plans to reduce the effectiveness of the collection of VAT.