§ 45. Mr. Bossomasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making arrangements whereby Purchase Tax paid on prizes for small-bore rifle clubs, and similar organisations caring for matters affecting national training, can be refunded to the original purchaser when proof is given that the articles purchased have been awarded as prizes for the object designated.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)No, Sir; I am afraid I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. BossomAs the prizes are specially engraved and are not ordinary commercial articles, would not the Chancellor reconsider this and try to do everything possible to encourage these men who are performing their National Service in this way?
§ Sir S. CrippsIt is quite impossible to distinguish between articles or their ultimate users.
§ 48. Mr. Odeyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the withdrawal of the subsidy on leather and the resulting increase in the prices of leather and leather goods, he will now consider a revision in the Purchase Tax on manufactured leather goods.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.
§ Mr. OdeyWill the Chancellor bear in mind that this industry, which is capable of making a valuable contribution to our export trade, is being virtually taxed out of existence.
§ Sir S. CrippsI will bear anything in mind, but I do not think that is the fact.
§ Mr. TiffanyIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the withdrawal of this subsidy is now having its effect by incredsing prices, thus affecting the wages of the workers; and will he bear that fact in mind in considering his next Budget?
§ Sir S. CrippsCertainly.
§ 52. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the heavy increase in cost of police clothing, due to the imposition of Purchase Tax; and whether, as this extra cost falls on the public, he will consider taking the tax off such clothing.
§ Sir S. CrippsI cannot anticipate my Budget statement, but I would point out that there are many kinds of uniforms besides police clothing, and it would be difficult to deal with any one kind in isolation.
§ Sir G. JeffreysWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman at least bear in mind that this material is essential, is not in any way a luxury, and that the extra cost falls upon the public and not upon the taxpayer?
§ Sir S. CrippsI will certainly bear all the facts in Mind.
§ 56. Mr. T. J. Brooksasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the 61 per cent. Purchase Tax on industrial gloves for the use of electric arc welders, and the fact that two coupons 2765 have to be surrendered per pair are a handicap on industry; and if he will consider removing it.
§ Sir S. CrippsOn the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave to the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Janner) on 5th February. On the second part, I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that electric arc welders may apply through their employers to His Majesty's Inspector of Factories for a coupon equivalent document, with which they can buy their industrial gloves without surrendering their own coupons.
§ Mr. BrooksSurely my right hon. and learned Friend will agree that this penalises electric arc welders who have to buy expensive gloves; and will he not consider giving them the easement given to other industries? Why penalise this industry to the extent of 61 per cent.?
§ Sir S. CrippsThere is no penalisation of this industry; but I will certainly bear all the matters in mind.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWill the Chancellor take careful note of the fact that hon. Members of all parties are now asking for a reduction in the Purchase Tax?
§ Mr. ErrollCan the Chancellor say why it is necessary to give these gloves a coupon value if, in fact, it is not necessary to surrender coupons?
§ Sir S. CrippsBecause there is difficulty in distinguishing them from other gloves?