HC Deb 18 July 2002 vol 389 cc472-3W
Mr. Bell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury is reconsidering the strategy of Government and the private sector performing the functions of tax return preparer on the Internet as direct e-commerce service providers to consumers. [71601]

Dawn Primarolo

The Inland Revenue continues to encourage third parties to provide e-filing products alongside the free Inland Revenue product, SA Online.

Mr. Bell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury intends to revise its strategy of providing online tax return services where such services can be provided by the private sector; and if he will make a statement. [71602]

Dawn Primarolo

The Inland Revenue have no plans to withdraw their electronic self assessment product, SA Online. 88 per cent. of customers using the Internet Service for Self Assessment used the Inland Revenue product last year.

Mr. Bell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Treasury's proposed investment in the Inland Revenue's internet self-assessment programme is for(a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004, including its marketing and advertising budget; and if he will make a statement. [71603]

Dawn Primarolo

The proposed investment in the Inland Revenue's self assessment programme for 2002 is £7 million. The marketing and communications budget for 2002 which covers the marketing and advertising of e-filing is £2 million.

Our plans for 2003 onwards are still being considered.