HC Deb 08 December 1988 vol 143 c306W
79. Mr. Couchman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures for the number of business start-ups on the basis of value added tax registrations.

Mr. Lilley

The number of VAT registrations and de-registrations processed by Customs and Excise in the period April to October 1988 is:

Number
New registrations 139,494
De-registrations 99,519
Net increase 39,975

This represents a record average increase in the size of the VAT register of well over 1,000 a week.