HC Deb 25 March 1968 vol 761 cc882-3
2. Mr. Dance

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make a statement on the treatment of slaughterhouses following his review of Selective Employment Tax classifications.

41. Sir J. Gilmour

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now able to announce the result of his review of classifications for the purposes of the Selective Employment Tax.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Roy Hattersley)

I hope to be able to announce the result of the review before Easter.

Mr. Dance

Is it not extremely unjust that a slaughterhouse run by a municipal authority should escape Selective Employment Tax completely whereas one that is privately run bears this burden, which has been increased by 50 per cent. recently?

Mr. Hattersley

I cannot comment on either the justice or injustice of the situation until the review is completed.

Sir J. Gilmour

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that he will be failing in his duty if he does not ensure that industries in the export field are exempted from Selective Employment Tax?

Mr. Hattersley

I do not think so. I do not think that with the Selective Employment Tax the Government have ever sought to discriminate in favour of exporting industries.

Mr. R. Carr

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the results of the review will be implemented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Finance Bill?

Mr. Hattersley

I think that implies that the review will have some results which may lead to a reclassification. But this is a hypothesis that I do not want to go into.