asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1986, Official Report, column 742, on the consultation document "VAT Input Tax: Origin and Scope of the Right to Deduct," when he expects to publish the draft regulations which will provide the new rules for partial exemption.

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise issued draft copies of most of the proposed new regulations in early February 1987 to those who had responded to the consultation document. Following discussions between Customs and certain interested trade parties, some changes were made and the proposed regulations are now in their final draft form.: I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library. The regulations themselves will be made and laid before the House on Tuesday 24 March, following approval by the House of the Budget resolutions.