§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in HANSARD a list of all forms of taxation which have been reduced between 1951 and 1963 and which now remain below the level of 1951.
§ Mr. GreenThe rates of the following taxes were lower in 1963 than in 1951: the Income Tax—which includes the Surtax; the Stamp Duties; the Purchase Tax; the Beer Duty; the duties on heavy wines and wines in bottle; the duties on sugar, cocoa and coffee; the Vehicle Excise Duty on hackney carriages; and certain of the protective duties. During the same period the incidence of Estate Duty on134W small estates was reduced and the following taxes which had been in operation in 1951 were abolished: the Corporation Duty, the Land Tax, the Entertainments Duty and certain minor Excise duties.
§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that from 1951 until 1962 general taxation rose by 67 per cent. and personal Income Tax rose by 113 per cent., whereas company taxation rose by only 27 per cent.; what was the reason for this; and what action he proposes to take to redress this imbalance.
§ Mr. GreenYes. My right hon. Friend is aware of these figures which relate to tax payments falling on 135W persons and on the reserves of companies in the years quoted. I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 25th February. I would also point out that during the period personal incomes doubled whereas the incomes of companies, after deduction of capital allowances, increased by only one-third and at the same time the foreign tax paid by companies, most of which is relieved as a credit against the United Kingdom tax, doubled. I have noted the last part of his Question but the hon. Member will not expect any statement at this time of the year.
§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that from 1951 until 1963 Purchase Tax rose by 65 per cent., and duties on wines, spirits and tobacco rose by 38 per cent., 82 per cent. and 44 per cent., respectively; and what action he proposes to take to reduce these forms of taxation.
Mr. M. MacmillanYes, my right hon. Friend is aware of these figures. They relate to tax receipts and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar Question on 25th February. As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend cannot anticipate his Budget statement.