§ 68. Major CARVERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the interests of employment, he will consider the abolition of the tax of 15s. on male domestic servants; and what is the present reason for the retention of this tax?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENAs I have explained on several previous occasions, the Male Servant Licence Duty is not an Imperial but a Local Taxation Duty, and I am afraid that I could not undertake to introduce legislation which would deprive local authorities of part of their revenue unless I were sure of their unanimous consent, and that a demand would not be made upon the Exchequer to replace the revenue surrendered.
§ Major CARVERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some years ago a similar tax was imposed on female domestic servants, and, in view of the present political equality of the sexes, will he remit this tax?