HC Deb 20 May 1969 vol 784 cc213-4
4. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the administrative cost, in men and money, of introducing tax value added.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Diamond)

I have nothing to add to what my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary said in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barnett) on 29th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 334–5.]

Mr. Digby

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that, although the cost is high, this tax has many advantages in the export field, although it has many disadvantages?

Mr. Diamond

I agree that it has many advantages and many disadvantages. The advantages have not been exactly proven.