§ 29. Mr. Milneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the increased prices now being charged for sweets and ice cream will affect his estimate of the revenue to be derived from them during the current year.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sir Edward Boyle)My right hon. Friend's estimate of the revenue took into account the effect on consumption of increased prices attributable to the tax. It is not possible to say how this estimate will be affected by any changes in tax-exclusive prices.
§ Mr. MilneDoes not the hon. Gentleman consider deplorable the manner in which certain sweets and ice cream manufacturers have increased the prices of their products following the Budget proposals? Will the Chancellor consider giving the same sort of lecture to these people as he has been giving to the wage earners in the past few months?
§ Sir E. BoyleThe Chancellor made it clear during the Committee stage discussions on the Finance Bill on 16th May that in his view when an increase in Purchase Tax is made the increase, and no more, should be passed on to the consumer.