§ 29. Mr. Allasonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum has been received in Purchase Tax on charity Christmas cards in the current financial year.
§ Mr. Harold LeverThis information is not available, since receipts of Purchase Tax on charity Christmas cards are not separately recorded.
§ Mr. AllasonWould the Minister agree that the total amount of tax on Christmas cards represents about £ 2 million, so that the sum raised from charity Christmas cards cannot be large from the Exchequer point of view but is really considerable from the point of view of the charity? Would he take into account the sensible and practical proposals put forward last year, which would relieve these charities of this Purchase Tax?
§ Mr. LeverAll proposals, especially sensible and practical proposals, are taken into account, but to date no one has thought it right to make the discrimination in favour of charity Christmas cards that the hon. Member has in mind.
§ Mr. DunnWould my hon. Friend take note of the feeling on this matter in the House, and perhaps in the coming year carry out an exercise to find out exactly what sum is involved? Does he appreciate that this would alleviate a great deal of concern felt on both sides of the Chamber.
§ Mr. LeverThe amount of duty received from other Christmas cards would alter if we were to exempt charity Christmas cards, but I will bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says.