§ 54. Dr. Broughtonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer his estimate of the revenue from the 10 per cent. Purchase Tax on wool cloth in the financial year 1956–57.
§ Mr. H. BrookeAbout £2 million.
§ Dr. BroughtonWill the Treasury forgo this revenue in order to remove an injustice? Since there is no Purchase Tax on cloth made from cotton or material made of synthetic fibres, will the right hon. Gentleman say how long this unjust discrimination against wool cloth is to remain?
§ Mr. BrookeI think the hon. Member understands that this difficulty, which has been explained in the House before, arises from the problem of the small tailor, which makes it necessary to retain this tax on wool cloth as a counterpart to the tax on clothing.