25. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in the total sum collected in taxation, comparing the year 1964–65 with the estimate of tax revenue in the year 1968–69.
§ Mr. DiamondAfter making the appropriate adjustments for S.E.T. refunds and the change to investment grants, but before making the necessary adjustment for increased prices, £3,711 million.
Mr. TaylorIs not this a frightening figure, and does it not show that, in the short period of four years, there has been an increase of about £6 a week in the tax burden of the average family in Britain? How can the Government expect to solve their economic problems 1100 so long as enterprise and initiative are so stifled in this way?
§ Mr. DiamondI do not accept that enterprise and initiative are stifled at all; they are encouraged.
§ Mr. RankinCan my right hon. Friend give any examples of aircraft purchased from this country by the United States?
§ Mr. DiamondI think that we are ahead of my hon. Friend. He is on the previous Question, which was not asked.
§ Mr. PeytonWhat did the right hon. Gentleman mean in his original Answer by the reference to increased prices? Is it not totally wrong to take this into account, when the Government themselves have a large measure of responsibility for increases in prices?
§ Mr. DiamondNo, Sir. I just wanted to make the point that, when one is measuring a distance, one should use a constant ruler.