§ 34. Mr. Costainasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much betterment levy was charged for the year to 5th April, 1969; and how much of that figure he estimates will be offset by reductions in income tax, surtax, corporation tax and capital gains tax.
§ Mr. William Rodgers£15 million was charged in the financial year 1968–69. I regret that the information on which to base an estimate of the reductions in the taxes mentioned is not available.
§ Mr. CostainWill the Treasury take this seriously and work out what the reduction is, and then appreciate what an extraordinary waste of money, effort and time of the civil servants is represented by having this tax-collecting measure, and that it has done much to cut down our housing programme?
§ Mr. RodgersThe principle of the betterment levy has been debated from time to time; I am very sorry that the hon. Gentleman has not yet been convinced.