HC Deb 14 May 1959 vol 605 cc1397-8
2. Mr. Hale

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now pre-pared to introduce provisions to abolish Schedule A tax.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. J. E. S. Simon)

Amendments to the Finance Bill have been put down on this subject. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend feels that he ought to wait to see if one of them is selected in order to use that occasion to communicate his views to the House of Commons.

Mr. Hale

Surely this is a somewhat new constitutional procedure? Will the Financial Secretary explain to us why on earth the principle has ever been evolved that. because our climate is so had and I am compelled to buy an expensive roof to put over my head, that is a source of revenue to me, and why I should have to pay the Chancellor for providing an office for my constituents and a permanent receptacle for soap and pools advertisements?

Mr. Simon

This is a matter on which views are divided on both sides of the House, and probably it would be more conveniently debated in amplitude when the Committee stage of the Finance Bill is resumed.

22. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent resolutions he has received from organisations in Scotland calling for the abolition of Schedule A tax; and what has been the nature of his reply.

Mr. Simon

So far as I can trace, my right hon. Friend received representations before the Budget from one such body. That was acknowledged in the usual way.

Mr. Hughes

Is not the Minister aware that the Scottish Tory Party—

Mr. Ross

The Unionist Party.

Mr. Hughes

—the Unionist Party passed a unanimous resolution and that indignant property owners demanded the abolition of this tax? Can it be that they rely on me? How does the hon. and learned Gentleman explain that this body is so inefficient that it cannot even send its letters to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Simon

My right hon. Friend was aware of the resolution which the hon. Gentleman mentioned, but the hon. Gentleman, of course, is always an acceptable channel of communication.