§ Mr. Lathamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to public funds to date in (a) legal costs and (b) repaid value added tax of the case of Direct Cosmetics Ltd. v. Commissioners of Customs and Excise; and whether he will instruct Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to withdraw its latest action before the European Court.
§ Mr. Brooke(a) The information is not available. (b) Direct Cosmetics has been repaid £26,676.48 VAT. (c) No. I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 24 February to his letter of 27 January.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response he intends to make to the letter dated 10 April to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise from Mr. W. F. Doddy, managing director of Direct Cosmetics Ltd. of Oakham, regarding the outstanding balance of value added tax legally repayable to the company, following the judgment of the European Court of Justice in the case of Direct Cosmetics Ltd. v. Commissioners of Customs and Excise.
§ Mr. BrookeA reply to Mr. Doddy's letter was sent to him by Customs and Excise on 28 April.