§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) to what extent he estimates the imposition of 10 per cent. value added tax on food in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer;
(2) to what extent he estimates the imposition of 10 per cent. value added tax on new residential accommodation in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer;
(3) to what extent he estimates the imposition of 10 per cent. value added tax on fuel and power in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer;
(4) to what extent he estimates the imposition of 10 per cent. value added tax on newspaper advertising in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer;
(5) to what extent he estimates the imposition of 10 per cent. value added tax on water in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer;
(6) to what extent he estimates the imposition of 10 per cent. value added tax on books in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer;
(7) to what extent he estimates the imposition of a 10 per cent. value added tax on large caravans in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer;
(8) to what extent he estimates the imposition of a 10 per cent. value added tax on building construction, other than new residential accommodation, in Great Britain will raise the lost of living if such tax is passed on to the consume;
56W(9) to what extent he estimates the imposition of 10 per cent. value added tax on transport in Great Britain will raise the cost of living if such tax is passed on to the consumer.
§ Mr. HigginsI have been asked to reply.
Estimates of the hypothetical revenue yield of a 10 per cent. value added tax on these supplies, which are in fact to be zero-rated under Schedule 4 to the Finance Bill, were given in reply to the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Joel Barnett) on 9th May. No estimates have been made of the hypothetical increase in the cost of living which might occur if such supplies were to be charged with tax.—[Vol. 836, c. 326–8.]