§ 9. Mr. Skinnerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now take steps substantially to reduce the level of taxation on brass band instruments.
§ Mr. BarberNo, Sir. I reduced all the rates of purchase tax by two-elevenths this summer.
§ Mr. SkinnerWell, that is a pity. I thought that the right hon. Gentleman was going to blow his trumpet again. Is he aware that these bandsmen have been having a pretty rough time recently, leading all these working-class demonstrations against the Government's policies, resulting in all these expensive replacements? More seriously, if it is right for the Arts Council to hand over £30,000 to the National Youth Orchestra, why cannot a little recompense be given in the form of reduced taxation for working-class music?
§ Mr. BarberI entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman that those who blow these brass instruments have had a very rough time indeed. In 1964, the tax on their instruments was 25 per cent., in July, 1966 it was increased to 27 ½ per cent., in March, 1968 to 33 ⅓ per cent. and in November, 1968 to 36 ⅔ per cent. At 1118 least we have made a start by reducing it to 30 per cent.