§ 56. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to revise the coupon system, whereby foreign visitors are enabled to buy British goods free of Purchase Tax in such a way as to allow British nationals resident abroad and having dollars to have the same facilities.
§ Mr. GaitskellNo, Sir.
§ Colonel HutchisonWould the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is necessary for spenders of dollars in this country resident abroad necessarily to be in possession of a Canadian or American passport? Would not the country benefit if British residents abroad had also the same facilities for the short time they were over here, or even holders of Mexican passports?
§ Mr. GaitskellRegarding British residents abroad any concessions of this kind would be liable to grave misuse. I would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the personal exports scheme, which is far more widely used than the coupon scheme, under which the goods have to be delivered to the ship or aeroplane, is available to British residents abroad.