52. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Purchase Tax causes stagnation in industry for at least three months prior to the Budget; and if he will consider announcing his Budget intentions regarding Purchase Tax as early as possible, in order to remove this burden on trade.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThough my right hon. Friend appreciates the existence of certain difficulties, my hon. and gallant Friend will not expect me to announce an intended anticipation of my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.
Brigadier ClarkeDoes my hon. Friend appreciate that uncertainty in Purchase Tax causes disincentive to buy and is causing unemployment in my constituency
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs I said in my substantive answer, I appreciate the difficulties which uncertainty can sometimes cause, but I must say that the suggestion made in my hon. and gallant Friend's Question does not seem to me to deal with the difficulty.