§ 57. Mr. Lindsayasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will exclude the book trade from the scope of the forthcoming Purchase Tax, in view of the absolute dependence of book exports on the volume of home trade and the vital importance of this industry, both at home and overseas, to the morale of English speaking peoples?
§ Sir K. WoodI have given careful and sympathetic consideration to the matter, but I regret that I cannot exempt the publishing trade from making this contribution to the revenue needed for the prosecution of the war.
§ Mr. LindsayWithout putting the matter out of perspective, will my right hon. Friend reconsider his answer, in view of the fact that this is, in a very real sense, a tax on knowledge?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallWill it not also ruin the booksellers?