Purchase Tax Changes (Announcement)

Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 19 November 1953.

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Photo of Sir Frank Medlicott Sir Frank Medlicott , Norfolk Central 12:00, 19 November 1953

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give favourable consideration to the proposal put forward by the Retail Distributors' Association that any changes in the rate of Purchase Tax should take effect in January instead of at Budget time.

Photo of Mr Norman Cole Mr Norman Cole , Bedfordshire South

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange that when changes in purchase tax are made this is done in January, or at such other date appropriate to the trade concerned, when retailers' stocks are expected to be at their lowest, instead of at the time of the Budget.

Photo of Captain Robert Ryder Captain Robert Ryder , Merton and Morden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when making alterations to Purchase Tax, he will arrange for this to be done on 1st January, when stocks in retailers' hands are normally at their lowest, instead of at Budget time.

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) on 12th November.

Photo of Mr Norman Cole Mr Norman Cole , Bedfordshire South

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that we are drawing near to the end of the year, that this matter is one of very great concern to the traders affected, and that it would be of vital assistance if an early decision could be made?

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

I appreciate that, and we certainly do not underrate the importance of this matter.

Photo of Mr Anthony Greenwood Mr Anthony Greenwood , Rossendale

The hon. Gentleman said that a week ago. Can he say whether the Chancellor has now stopped shuffling along from week to week and will really try to help trade and industry?

Photo of Mr John Boyd-Carpenter Mr John Boyd-Carpenter , Kingston upon Thames

I do not know whether a question expressed in those not very courteous terms is serious or not, but I have nothing to add to the statement I have made.