HC Deb 28 October 1993 vol 230 cc751-2W
Mr. Batiste

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the amount of social security fraud which could be prevented by a national photo identity card using modern technology to prevent forgery.

Mr. Hague

It is not possible to estimate the full impact of identity cards on reducing benefit fraud as many social security frauds arise from misrepresentation of the facts rather than false identity. The issue of national identity cards is a matter for the Home Office.

Mr. Marlow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much could be raised by putting VAT on(a) the clothes and (b) the footwear of small people including children.

Sir John Cope

[holding answer 25 October 1993]: The publication "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs" shows that the estimated cost of not standard rating children's clothing and footwear was £600 million in 1993–94. This figure makes no allowance for changes in behaviour if the tax were imposed.

Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the sum that would be raised in the next financial year by imposing VAT on domestic air fares at the standard rate;

(2) what is his estimate of the sum that would be raised in the next financial year by imposing VAT on bus fares at the standard rate.

Sir John Cope

[holding answer 26 October 1993]: Table 9 of the publication "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs" published by HM Treasury in July 1993 provides an estimate of £1,150 million for the cost of zero-rating domestic passenger transport in 1993–94. Very roughly, around £450 million of this is in respect of bus fares; around £150 million is in respect of air fares. These figures make no allowance for the likely behavioural response to applying VAT at the standard rate to these items.