§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on(a) the progress and (b) expected timescale of the Inland Revenue and Customs Joint Compliance Costs Research Programme. [9738]
§ Dawn PrimaroloLast year, the Inland Revenue and Customs embarked on a research programme to measure the compliance cost of tax. The programme is expected to run for four years and will cover all direct and indirect taxes. Two contracts were awarded in September 2000 to undertake the first studies in the research programme. I have not seen the report so I cannot comment on the progress as yet.