§ 48. Sir George Broadbridgeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the customs authorities have in contemplation any change in the present method of payment of Purchase Tax by registered persons; have they consulted with all representative trade organisations to ascertain their views; and will he give an undertaking that in any rearrangement of procedure steps will be taken to ensure that registered persons are not called upon to finance the tax?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)This matter is under consideration. Various representative trade organisation are being consulted, in order to ascertain the system of paying the tax that would be most convenient. In regard to the last part of the Question, I would point out that the extent to which manufacturers and wholesalers can be said to finance the tax depends on the credit which they allow their customers. This is entirely a matter for arrangement between the parties concerned.
§ Sir K. WoodI will see that they are expedited as much as possible.
§ Mr. R. C. MorrisonWill it be possible to amend the procedure in the next Finance Bill, or will a separate Bill be necessary?
§ Sir K. WoodI think it will be possible to deal with it in the Finance Bill.
§ 50. Mr. T. Smithasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that NDK dentalvis, a medicament for teeth and gum troubles, has been classed by the Inland Revenue as a toilet preparation, and consequently subject to Purchase Tax; and whether he will have this decision reconsidered?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury(Captain Crookshank): This preparation is advertised as "used as an ordinary dentifrice." Toothpastes are toilet preparations, and are in law chargeable (whether they are medicated are not) with tax at the rate of 33⅓ per cent, ad valorem.