§ Mr. Grieveasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of his decision not to bring forward an amendment to the Distress for Rates Order to reflect the liability for value added tax of members of the Certified Bailiffs' Association resulting from the Finance Act 1977, what other proposals he has for alleviating the inconvenience caused to them by the present situation.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettI am advised that my right hon. Friend has no power to amend the Distress for Rates Order in such a way as to pass on the bailiff's liability for value added tax to rate defaulters as the Certificated Bailiffs' Association had requested. I understand that officials of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are considering the position with the Certificated Bailiffs' Association in order to try to sort out any problems concerning value added tax arising from the present statutory situation.