§ 60. Mr. Keelingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that his predecessor when withdrawing, in response to the views of this House, his proposal to discontinue the taxation of patent medicines, promised to re-examine the question of continuing to tax them, and repeated this promise to a deputation of hon. Members; whether the re-examination took place; and with what result?
§ Sir K. WoodOn the outbreak of war, in view of the pressure on the time of all concerned, the procedure contemplated by my predecessor was abandoned. Subsequently, however, on 13th August last I gave an undertaking to see, before the next Finance Bill, whether I could not get the parties together and try and get some reasonable solution of the matter, and my hon. Friend is I think aware of the recent developments in this connection.
§ Mr. KeelingIs the Chancellor aware that the only parties consulted were the vendors, who are not the only parties interested in the matter? Does he think it right that the Government should have violated this expressed policy without any word of explanation?
§ Sir K. WoodI think that the procedure which is now in operation is the best. Obviously we cannot have a long inquiry, but I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is in touch with all the parties who are interested in the matter.
Viscountess AstorIs it not true that the advertisement of patent medicines was one of the scandals which was dealt with in the last war? No one knows why the Government have given in on this question. Has the Chancellor read the Debate in another place recently?
§ Sir K. WoodI will in due course.