HC Deb 07 June 1928 vol 218 cc329-30
36. Sir BASIL PETO

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the total amount of Laconic Tax paid by retail businesses which have been acquired by the co-operative organisations in the last three financial years?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I regret that I am unable to give this information.

Sir B. PETO

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think his Department should be aware of the amount of revenue which is gradually slipping away from him in this insidious manner year by year, leaving more burdens to be borne by those who are liable to pay?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am bound to say that I have reached the conclusion that the laborious inquisition which would be necessary in these cases and the amount of clerical work which would be required would not be justified by the issue involved.

Sir F. HALL

If the names of the various businesses are given to the right hon. Gentleman, will it not be possible, simply by reference to the books, to see how much Income Tax has been paid? Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to supply the information if specific businesses are given to him?

Mr. CHURCHILL

This matter has been discussed on a great many occasions, and I am always ready to debate it in the House. Some time ago I produced a very elaborate answer upon the whole question of the taxation of co-operative societies, and I have not yet been confronted with any arguments which overturn that answer.

Sir F. HALL rose

—

Mr. SPEAKER

The supplementary question; do not raise the merits of the question, but merely ask for the same information.

Sir F. HALL

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that a great many members of this party are not of the same opinion as he holds on this question?

Sir B. PETO

I do not wish to raise any question of opinion. I wish to ask my right hon. Friend whether he has not received from the National Traders' Defence Association a statement which traverses altogether the statement to which he referred in his answer, namely, that there was only £100,000 loss of revenue, and that the real loss of revenue is at least £400,000 or £500,000?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I can only say that I am willing to discuss this matter on any opportunity which is afforded in debate. I approached this question with a complete readiness to find that there was a serious leakage of revenue, as indeed it might appear from the statements made, but I was led to the conclusion which I have announced on several occasions as the result of a very careful study of the position.