HC Deb 01 May 1940 vol 360 c708
44. Mr. Graham White

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the preparation for and the working of the proposed Purchase Tax, it is intended to institute a census of production?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)

No, Sir. Apart from other difficulties, the information derived from the census would not be available until long after the date on which it is hoped to bring the tax into force.