§ 48. Colonel Gomme-Duncanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the present opportunity for British piano manufacturers to secure world markets previously served by German firms, he will remove the purchase tax on pianos forthwith.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. Purchase Tax is not payable on exported pianos. As regards those sold at home, I cannot add to the statement on Purchase Tax which I made on 31st October.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWill not the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless there is a home market in pianos the export market must bear the whole of the overheads, and it cannot do that?
§ Mr. DaltonI have said before that our exporters can sell as much as they can produce at good prices in the next few years, and I hope they will get on with the job.
§ Mr. DaltonYes, but that was not the point in the Question, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer also requires a bit of revenue.
§ 54. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider abolishing the Purchase Tax charged on the statutory forms necessary for matters connected with the certification and detention of insane persons.
§ Mr. DaltonI regret that I cannot adopt the hon. Members suggestion. All stationery is chargeable with Purchase Tax and I could not make exceptions of this kind.
§ Sir W. WakefieldIs the Chancellor expecting a gradual increase in the revenue from this source, due to the actions, present and proposed, of the present Government?
§ Mr. DaltonI think it will probably run at a pretty steady level.
§ Mr. GallacherWould the Chancellor consult with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply with a view to stopping the supply of paper to insane persons?