HC Deb 02 June 1981 vol 5 cc310-1W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many traders registered for value added tax have an annual turnover of £30,000 or less.

Mr. Peter Rees

About 650,000.

Mr. Grylls

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of how much revenue would be lost if he were to raise the value added tax registration threshold from his proposed £15,000 to £30,000.

Mr. Peter Rees

It is estimated that, if (i) the deregistration limit also was raised to £30,000 taxable turnover over a year and (ii) the proportion deregistering of those eligible to do so was similar to the proportions when the limit was raised in the past, the revenue loss would be about £60 million in a full year. Such a large increase in the limits could, however, cause such a change in the nature of the tax as to result in a substantially larger loss of revenue.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the reason for the delay of the refund of £2,428.37 of value added tax alleged to be due to Mr. Gareth Rose, trading as Reflex Windows at 6A Bird Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, value added tax registration No. 307336867; and if he will indicate the date by which any refund due will be made.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 22 May 1981, c. 187]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) on 6 April.—[Vol. 2, c. 186.]

Sir Timothy Kitson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made to him regarding the payment of interest on outstanding value added tax owed to the farming industry; and whether he will ensure that, where sums of money are owed on value added tax repayments, other tax demands will be offset until the Government manage to repay these moneys.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 22 May 1981, c. 187]: Representations have been received from the National Farmers Union, the Confederation of British Industry and three hon. Members on behalf of farmers in respect of interest on outstanding repayments of VAT.

As regards the last part of the question, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar) on 6 April 1981.—[Vol. 2, c. 186.1