§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum owing to businesses in value added tax refunds which have been frozen by industrial action at the value added tax computer centre; and what steps he is taking to make alternative arrangements to facilitate such payments.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesIt is estimated that the total amount of value added tax included on repayment claims which cannot be processed as a result of industrial action is approximately £240 million.
Customs and Excise regret that for the time being they are unable to make repayments of VAT; but they will do all they can to see that repayments are resumed as quickly as possible once the industrial action is over.