§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish full details, for the longest convenient time, of the popular versions of White Papers issued by Government Departments, 404W by the Treasury were, when instituted, based upon levels of income which have become unrealistic in view of the fall in the value of money since they were instituted, with a view to their being revised to more realistic and equitable levels of income.
§ Mr. HigginsI have noted the point made by my hon. Friend but I do not think a special inquiry is necessary.
§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a list of all cases in the field of taxation where forms must be completed and charges imposed, where fees are due and duties are levied above a certain level of income or which vary according to the level of income, giving the level and the year in which it was fixed in each case.
§ Mr. HigginsThe main instances of such income limits are:
which were circulated to the general public by or through the Post Office Corporation, or any other stated official agency, and at what costs; where such White Papers and/or the popular version had not been taken note of or agreed to by the House of Commons prior to such circularising; and on what Vote the costs were carried.
§ Mr. HigginsThis Question could be answered in full only at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.
A number of short versions of White Papers have been issued. I am only aware of one case where a White Paper was noted by the House of Commons prior to circulation of a short version. My right hon. Friend the Lord President and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave 405W examples indicating established policy on this matter on 19th July and 27th July.
The costs in these cases would normally fall on the H.M.S.O. Vote.