§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) Construction Tax Certificates and (b) Subcontractors Tax Certificates under the new construction industry scheme have been issued; how many are awaiting processing; and how many approved applications will not be issued before 1 August. [92410]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Inland Revenue keep statistics of the numbers of applications received on a monthly basis for both registration cards and tax certificates. The latest figures show that 120,000 applications have been received for certificates and that 14,155 Construction Tax Certificates have been issued and 82,978 Subcontractor Tax Certificates have been issued. In addition, the Inland Revenue has issued 391,630 registration cards to those who do not qualify for a certificate.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been received for(a) Construction Tax Certificates and (b) Subcontractors Tax Certificates under the new construction industry scheme; how many have been approved; how many have been rejected; and how many are still being considered. [92409]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Inland Revenue only keep details of the total number of certificate applications received; they do not keep details of how many of those applications are for either a CIS6 or a CIS5. The latest figures show that 120,000 applications have been received for certificates in total. The Inland Revenue have issued 97,133 certificates in total. Around 15 per cent. of applications fail to meet the criteria so the Inland Revenue currently anticipate issuing no more than 103,000 certificates. The Inland Revenue have also issued 391,630 registration cards to those who do not qualify for a certificate.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons no telephone number is available to enable callers to check with the processing centre in Liverpool about when construction tax certificates will be issued. [92412]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 22 July 1999]: Tax offices are able to advise a subcontractor, from the computer records which are updated daily, whether their application has been authorised and, if so, whether their certificate has been issued or if their application is ready for processing. There is no need for any taxpayer to contact the processing office about their application form as the tax office will be able to give them all the available information. Subcontractors can also obtain some 392W information from the subcontractors helpline which has been set up to provide general information about the scheme.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many construction industry application forms for(a) construction tax certificates and (b) subcontractors tax certificates have been rejected by the Inland Revenue on the basis that part of the signature was outside the white box on page 2; and if he will make a statement. [92408]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Inland Revenue do not keep details of the reasons why any particular application form may be rejected. All application forms are issued with guidance notes for completion but where a subcontractor has not completed the form correctly Inland Revenue staff will try to identify this when the application form is handed in to them. If the error is not immediately identified but is discovered, the applicant will be called back as soon as possible so that they can complete another form correctly.