Clause 12. — (Changes in Rates of Purchase Tax.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Finance Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 May 1959.

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Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Huyton 12:00, 12 May 1959

I am sure that it is probably the wish of the Committee generally that we should bring this matter to a conclusion as quickly as possible. Having moved this Motion, I should like to say that while, of course, we welcome the fact that the Chancellor is showing a little more contrition today than be did last night, and while we welcome, as far as it goes, his proposal for consultations, which, in effect, will merely bind the hands of his Labour successors, this has been an unhappy and somewhat discreditable episode, which has not been helped by the Chancellor's attempt to ride it off last night.

Last night, the right hon. Gentleman appeared to be glorying in the fact that he had been so clever. At any rate, that was the impression formed by anyone who heard his speech, as well as that of anyone who has read it today. It may not have been his intention. Today, his line is that he did not know what he was