§ 39. Dame Irene Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many associations or organisations, such as the General Nursing Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, remain to be designated within the framework of the Selective Employment Tax; and when a decision will be reached.
§ Mr. MacDermotNo amendment is proposed to provide for refunds to these two bodies.
§ Dame Irene WardHas the hon. and learned Gentleman answered the whole of the Question? I quoted those two organisations only as examples. Is it not absolutely absurd that the General Nursing Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists should be regarded as service industries when their personnel are urgently needed in the hospital services?
§ Mr. MacDermotThey are services. I did not answer the rest of the Question because I was not clear to what other class of bodies the hon. Lady was referring. There are many bodies which do useful work as services but which will have to meet the cost of the tax. 245 We cannot discriminate between them, apart from the exemption which we have already made in respect of charities.