50. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Paper C.22035, giving the budgetary increases in Purchase Tax, was circulated and delivered to business offices before the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Budget day.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe leaflet referred to was not even printed until after the Budget Speech. But, as is usual on these occasions, a notice was issued giving the precise information which traders concerned need to have at the earliest possible moment to enable them, where necessary, to adjust their selling prices. Great care is taken in timing the distribution of these notices to ensure that they are delivered on, but not before, the morning after the Budget Statement. I have no reason to think that the safeguards against leakage are inadequate.
Mr. SmithIs the Chancellor aware that the allegation that information was given to the trade on the morning of Budget day was made a week ago in open debate in this House, and that although there was a representative of the Treasury on the Front Bench he did not deny it?
§ Sir S. CrippsA good many remarks are made in open debate which are not immediately denied by the Minister, but which are none-the-less inaccurate.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I supplied his predecessor with information to the effect that this information was, in fact, released early last April?
§ Sir S. CrippsI presume the hon. Gentleman got the same sort of answer.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill the right hon. Gentleman differentiate between the leaflet that was, in fact, sent out, and the leaflet referred to in the Question? Is he aware that 120,000 copies were sent out? A business friend of mine tells me they were 193 marked, on the morning of the Budget, "Not to be opened till five o'clock." By what right and authority did he print these leaflets before the increases were passed by this House?
§ Mr. SpeakerIn the guise of a question the hon. Gentleman must not repeat the speech he made the other night.