Clause 4

Part of Orders of the Day — Finance Bill – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 April 1973.

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Photo of Mr David Stoddart Mr David Stoddart , Swindon 12:00, 10 April 1973

I want to raise only one major point. I was very surprised to hear that hon. Members opposite had not had representations about this tax, because undoubtedly people are "bewitched, bothered and bewildered" about it at the present time. Some of the anomalies are so great that people are writing to me in great numbers. Only this morning I had a letter from a women's organisation asking me to protest very loudly and clearly about the tax on women's sanitary wear. I hope that the Financial Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer will take note of the early day motion on that subject.

The major point that I wish to raise— and I have written to the Financial Secretary about it—relates to the anomaly which arises on the work of voluntary radio associations. In my constituency a voluntary association runs the hospital radio service for the benefit of patients. Because of the imposition of VAT on telephone charges this association which provides a voluntary service, finds itself having to pay an extra £30 VAT on the rental of the private line, which amounts to £300 per annum. I feel sure that the Government and the Financial Secretary will agree that this anomaly penalises voluntary workers and that if, because of financial difficulties, the voluntary workers are unable to continue, hospital patients will be deprived of a valuable and valued service. I hope that the Financial Secretary will do his utmost to see that this anomaly is corrected.