§ 78. Mr. Loverseedasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Purchase Tax is imposed on gift parcels sent home by troops serving in the Middle East; and whether he is aware of the indignation caused among members of His Majesty's Forces in that command as a result.
§ Sir J. AndersonPurchase Tax on all imported chargeable goods was imposed by this year's Finance Act, but the Forces have been informed that as a concession tax will not be charged on parcels posted before 20th September last, and further that four parcels per annum of a total value of £8 will be admitted free of tax and Customs duty if the special labels supplied to them are used. Having regard to the heavy tax on home-produced goods, I fear I cannot allow unlimited supplies of competing foreign goods to come in tax free.