HC Deb 31 May 1937 vol 324 cc675-7
59. Briģadier-General Clifton Brown

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated extra cost of administration entailed by the National Defence Contribution proposals; and what is the extra number of staff required for the additional work?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)

As my right hon. Friend's predecessor stated in reply to a similar question on 27th April, the cost of assessment and collection of the National Defence Contribution cannot be usefully estimated until the form of the tax has been determined by Parliament, but he does not anticipate that it will be very considerable.

60. Mr. Turton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what orders under Section 42 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, increasing the statutory percentages for the purposes of the Excess Profits Duty were in force at the commencement of the Finance Act, 1926; and what were the increased statutory percentages under these orders?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

Arrangements have been made to publish lists of the orders made by the Board of Referees for the purposes of the Excess Profits Duty under Section 42 of the Finance No. 2 Act, 1915, and copies of the publication will be available for Members to-day through the Vote Office.

61. Mr. Touche

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the widespread anxiety felt among the business community that companies and firms which may be liable to National Defence Contribution will be put to disproportionate labour and expense in ascertaining their liability or otherwise to such tax; and whether he will make a statement on this point?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

This is a matter that falls to be dealt with in the Finance Bill Debates rather than by way of question and answer, but I may say that my right hon. Friend does not agree that the assessment will involve the disproportionate labour and expense that my hon. Friend suggests.

Mr. G. Griffiths

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggest to the Prime Minister that he should take off the Whips, so that we can see where we are on this question?

62. Mr. Touche

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the amendments which have been made in the proposals for the National Defence Contribution and the further information he has obtained on this subject, any revision should be made in the estimated amount of revenue likely to be collected by this tax during the currency of the present financial year and the following year?

Lieut-Colonel Colville

The cost in a full year of the concessions made in the Finance Bill is not a matter into which my right hon. Friend is prepared to enter in advance of the debates on the Bill. I may say, however, that it is not considered that any appreciable alteration falls to be made in the small sum which was estimated for Budget purposes as the Exchequer receipt in the current year.