§ 1. Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the anxiety of the British motor car industry that it will find itself at a disadvantage in the European free market, so long as the burden of Purchase Tax on British motor cars is substantially higher than that of our principal European competitors; and whether he will arrange for this matter to be closely examined in consultation with representatives of the British motor car industry before any final decisions are made with regard to the European Free Trade Area.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. J. Enoch Powell)Purchase Tax is only one among many factors which must be taken into account. My right hon. Friend will, of course, consider carefully any representations the industry may make.
§ Mr. NabarroHas the attention of my hon. Friend been drawn to the important statement made by Sir Leonard Lord, the chairman and joint managing director of Britain's largest motor manufacturers, 578 the British Motor Corporation? Only forty-eight hours ago that gentleman said:
The Government's policies which affect home sales through credit restrictions, Purchase Tax, Profits Taxes, hire-purchase and other control's must be revised to give us parity of home market conditions with those of our Continental competitors. It must make trade free to meet Free Trade.Is not this a most important pronouncement, and will my right hon. Friend have urgent regard to the advice of an expert?
§ Mr. PowellThe statement to which by hon. Friend's attention has been directed does show that Purchase Tax is, as I said, one of many factors that have to be considered.