To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) people and (b) businesses had to pay penalties as a result of filing VAT returns one day late after the bank holiday Monday on 7 May 2007. (174902)

HM Revenue and Customs do not issue penalties for the late filing of VAT returns. A penalty is issued only where a return is not paid in full by the due date. A total of 27,067 penalties were issued in May 2007 for late payment of VAT. Information on the penalties issued for payments received on a particular day in May 2007 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.