§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why tax collection costs have nearly doubled since 1950, from £50 million, in that year, to £97 million in 1959; what part of such increase may be attributed, respectively, to Income Tax, Surtax, and Purchase Tax; and what were the costs of collection figures for 1950 and 1959 from Surtax payers.
§ Sir E. Boyle:I cannot accept my hon. Friend's figures, but, at £73. 1 million in 1959–60 against £36. 8 million in 1950–51, tax collection costs had, I agree, nearly doubled, mainly because of increases in pay and superannuation. A small part of the increase in cost was on account 63W of additional staff to deal with increased work, and one must remember that revenue collected also rose substantially. It is not possible to give separate figures for the cost of collection of particular categories of tax.