§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has given further consideration to simplifying the procedures for completing a deed of covenant.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI assume the right hon. Member has in mind tax relief on charitable covenants. On Budget day last year we authorised the Inland Revenue to publish guidance, including simple model forms of covenant, to help charities and individuals making charitable covenants to get it right for tax. Copies can be obtained from the Inland Revenue claims brach offices in Bootle and Edinburgh which deal with the tax affairs of charities. Copies are also available in the Library.
500WWe are always ready to consider any further improvements which can be made in this area. However a deed of covenant is a legal document, not a tax form, and must meet the requirements of general, non-tax, law if it is to be valid. If the right hon. Member has in mind the simplification of general law procedures for making deeds, that is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Scotland.