53. Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, he will, in view of the anomalies arising out of the substitute standards for Excess Profits Tax and the adverse effects on the position of the development areas, set up a committee to investigate the whole position.
§ Sir J. AndersonI cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion for a committee to consider E.P.T. standards. I am not clear what anomalies she has in mind, but if she will send me a note of the representations which she desires to make, I will give them careful consideration.
Miss WardAm I to understand that my right hon. Friend has had no representations from any industrialist in any of the development areas on this matter?
§ Sir J. AndersonWhat my hon. Friend is entitled to deduce from my reply is that I consider that the examination of such representations is, primarily, a matter for me, and not for some committee.
§ Mr. A. EdwardsIs the Chancellor aware that these industries, situated in what were called the distressed areas, are at a disadvantage as against industries in other areas, who at that time were trading with enemy countries and making big profits, and as a result they have big profits guaranteed in the war, so that the distressed areas are bound to become more distressed than at the present time?
§ Sir J. AndersonI think the question of distressed areas is a separate matter.