46. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the costly advertising in national newspapers of goods which cannot be supplied during war-time; that this expenditure deprives the nation, in many cases, of large amounts which otherwise would be available for taxation; and whether he will take steps to prevent the advertising of goods which cannot be supplied and / or to prevent advertising the object of which is, in fact, to evade taxation?
§ Sir K. WoodIn so far as my hon. Friend raises the question of taxation, I would refer him to the reply I gave on 25th November last to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Sir R. Clarry). The other aspects of the question are matters for my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Supply.
Mr. Creech JonesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of what appears to be systematic evasion by very expensive advertisements of articles which cannot possibly be supplied during the period of the war, and cannot something be done in order to stop that sort of evasion?
§ Sir K. WoodPerhaps my hon. Friend will bring his cases to the notice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. SilvermanWill the right hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles his conflicting policies in this matter?
§ Mr. HammersleyIs not this one of the most flagrant examples of the gross waste of necessary raw materials?
§ Sir K. WoodMy hon. Friend knows that as regards taxation I have certain powers to regulate this matter.