HC Deb 17 February 1942 vol 377 cc1652-3
58. Sir J. Lucas

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to see that black market profiteers who are known to have made large sums of money shall be made to pay their due share of Income Tax, Surtax and Excess Profits Tax, in view of the Government policy that no manufacturer or trader should become richer by reason of the war?

Sir K. Wood

My hon. Friend may rest assured that all possible steps are and will be taken to secure the proper assessment and payment of taxes to which he refers.

Sir J. Lucas

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the United States gangsters are given long terms of imprisonment for tax evasion, and will he take similar action in this country as a means of tackling this problem?

Sir K. Wood

There is another Question on that.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

What policy is the right hon. Gentleman adopting to eliminate this foul practice of ready cash trading, which eliminates all records of bookkeeping transactions?