asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many charities have a turnover equivalent to the business value added tax exemption level under section [5 of the Finance Act 1972.

[pursuant to his reply, 11 March 1982, c. 494]: I regret that the information about the turnover of charities is not available. Comparatively few charities engage in business activities on a scale which requires them to register and account for value added tax. The primary purpose of section 15 of the Finance Act 1972 is to enable local authorities to obtain a refund of the tax they incur on their non-business expenditure, which would otherwise fall as a burden on the rates and the rate support grant.