§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers she has to prevent two master franchises within the same trading scheme in the United Kingdom from using coercive attempts to press their franchisees with registering for VAT as a means of the master franchises obtaining an exemption under the provisions of the Trading Schemes Act 1996; and if she will make a statement. [113009]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThere are no such powers under the Trading Schemes Act. Registration for VAT is a matter for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.