HC Deb 09 June 1988 vol 134 cc636-7W
Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of businesses with a turnover of £250,000 or less are currently subject to a surcharge as a result of late submission of their quarterly value added tax returns.

Mr. Lilley

Customs do not keep separate surcharge statistics for businesses with a turnover of £250,000 or less.

At the end of May 1988 approximately 20 per cent. of all businesses registered for VAT were in receipt of extant surcharge liability notices. About half of these had not yet incurred a surcharge.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the nature of representations he has received from small businesses concerning the restriction on companies taking advantage of the new instalment system for value added tax payments to those which are up to date on payments; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lilley

No such representations have been received.