§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures showing the total cost of (a) the Civil Service and (b) local government personnel, as a percentage of gross domestic product, in 1960, 1970, 1975 and the latest year for which the figures are available.
Mr. BittenFigures for the total United Kingdom cost of Civil Service and local government personnel as a percentage of GDP in the years in question are not readily available. The table below is based on the cost of Civil Service and local authority personnel in Great Britain only, for the financial years for which information is readily available.
§ Mr. Peter ReesNo general review of the value added tax system is currently being undertaken.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the revenue lost to the Exchequer of maintaining a zero rating of value added tax on children's clothing.
§ Mr. Peter ReesThe estimated revenue cost of the relief for young children's clothing and footwear is of the order of £225 million in 1980–81. No separate estimate has been made for children's clothing alone. In addition, there is thought to be substantial loss to the Exchequer through misapplication of the relief—for example, zero-rated goods being bought by adults.