§ 66. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many old age pensioners and many of the poorer section of the population, who cannot afford wireless sets which operate from the electric main supply, use battery operated models; and in view of the fact 233W that there is no tax on the electric main supply, if he will reduce or abolish the tax on wireless-set batteries, which on a battery costing 19s. Id. amounts to 3s. 9d.
§ Mr. JayMy right hon. Friend has already recognised the merits of the case put forward by my hon. Friend to the extent of excluding these batteries from the Budget increase in the rate of tax on radio sets. Batteries are taxed at the lowest rate in force, and I regret that at this stage a further concession cannot be made.