§ 8. Mr. Trotterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now state whether he intends to grant relief on inflationary increases in the value of work in progress to professional firms as well as traders.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettNo, Sir. I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget proposals.
§ Mr. TrotterMay I point out that this is a question of principle? If it is correct in principle to give relief to trades as a result of inflation, because their work in progress is hit, exactly the same principle must apply to professional firms hit equally badly. Can the right hon. Gentleman deny that the principle applies equally to both?
§ Mr. BarnettI would not care to deny that. I am very much aware of the problem. However, I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget proposals.
§ Mr. David HowellSurely this is a matter for the last Budget on November 12th and the present Finance Bill, and not for the next Budget and the next Finance Bill, whenever those will be? Does not the Chief Secretary recall a number of arguments in Committee on this subject, and would it not now be wise to bring forward a Government amendment to add to the other 120 or so Government amendments to the Finance Bill, which we shall discuss during the next few weeks, to make this necessary and worthwhile change?
§ Mr. BarnettNo, Sir.