§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which registered charities pay value added tax on membership subscriptions.
§ Mr. Peter ReesI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total debt owing to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, at the latest date for which information is available, by those who are registered for value added tax; how many months' payments this represents; and if he will provide the same information in respect of the position 12 months earlier.
§ Sir Geoffrey Howe[pursuant to his reply, 27 February 1980]: VAT outstanding on unpaid returns and assessments at 31 October 1979 was about £1,750 million, of which about £800 702W million became due only on 31 October. The remaining £950 million represented about 20 days' payments at the average rate during the fourth quarter of 1979, the full £1,750 million about 36 days. The tax outstanding at 31 October 1978 was about £580 million of which £335 million became due on 31 October. At the then current VAT rates of 8 and 12½ per cent. the remaining £245 million represented 10 days' payments and the full £580 million 23 days. Although information for a later date is not complete, there are indications that the average number of days VAT payments are in arrears has been reduced since the end of October.