§ 24. Mr. Snowasked the Paymaster-General if he is aware that Purchase Tax reliefs in respect of domestic refrigerators have not been passed on to the public in full by electricity boards; and if he will give a general direction to the Midlands Electricity Board that Purchase 860 Tax reductions must be passed on in full on all equipment supplied by area boards.
§ Sir I. HorobinThe prices which they charge for appliances are a matter for the commercial discretion of the boards and a general direction is therefore inappropriate.
§ Mr. SnowIs the Minister aware that my constituent signed an agreement for the purchase of a refrigerator, manufactured by an American company, at a certain price which I can give to the Minister? Three days after he signed the agreement, an additional charge was imposed, without any reference to him at all. In this matter, the electricity board is acting as agent for the manufacturers and is, therefore, being made a party to what, I am afraid, I can only describe as rather a fraud on the public. Will the Minister look into this matter?
§ Sir I. HorobinI cannot accept what the Gentleman says. So far as his suggestion is concerned, it would appear that that would be a matter for the Board of Trade and not for the Ministry.
§ Mr. SnowIn view of the answers given by the Minister, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.