§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the 86W simplification of the taxation system in order to reduce the £55½ million which it costs annually to collect the Inland Revenue duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe trouble is that many proposals for simplification of the tax system would involve unfairnesses. But we are just as anxious as my hon. Friend to find fair and effective methods of reducing its cost and complexity and would be happy to consider any suggestions he may care to put forward. My hon. Friend may however be interested to know that the total cost of collection is 1.37 per cent. of the tax collected.