Tax Law Rewrite Project

HC Deb 29 October 1998 vol 318 c227W

Ms Lawrence

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on further developments on the Tax Law Rewrite project. [57734]

Dawn Primarolo

I am delighted to announce that the Tax Law Rewrite is making good progress. The Inland Revenue have today published a third Exposure Draft which rewrites the capital allowance provisions for industrial buildings. The rewritten legislation in this Exposure Draft will form part of the first Rewrite Bill. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

The Rewrite project aims to bring clarity and certainty to our direct tax legislation, and commands my continuing support. Consultation is the key to the success of the project. I would urge anybody with an interest in tax legislation to take this further opportunity to comment on the rewritten legislation while still in its formative stages. It is an excellent opportunity to influence the statute book of the future.