§ Mr. Boscawenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has held with the boot and shoe industry with regard to membership of the committee of inquiry into the effect that value added tax would have on the sale of children's footwear and on children's foot health.
§ Mr. BarberThe committee of inquiry will include representatives of the footwear manufacturers and retailers; certain individuals are being approached but have not yet had time to reply. The names of members will be announced as soon as possible.
§ Dr. Stuttafordasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the first meeting of the committee of inquiry in regard to value added tax and children's footwear and foot health to take place.
§ Mr. BarberThe members of the committee of inquiry will be announced shortly and it will be for the chairman to settle the date of the first meeting of the committee.
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§ Dr. Stuttafordasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the medical profession with regard to membership of the committee of inquiry in regard to value added tax and children's footwear and foot health.
§ Mr. BarberThe medical profession will be represented on the committee of inquiry; certain individuals have been approached but have not yet had time to reply. The names of members will be announced as soon as possible.
§ Miss Pikeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now able to announce the names of the members serving on the committee of inquiry into the relationship of foot health and children's shoes in respect of value added tax on footwear.
§ Mr. BarberThe chairman of the committee of inquiry will be Mrs. Alison Munro, High Mistress of St. Paul's Girls School. I hope shortly to be able to announce the names of the other members, who will include representatives of the footwear manufacturers and retailers, the medical profession and consumers.
§ Mr. Wintertonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many members will comprise the committee inquiring into value added tax and children's shoes.
§ Mr. BarberThe committee will include, besides the chairman, representatives of the footwear manufacturers and retailers, the medical profession and consumers. I hope to be in a position to announce the names of the members shortly.
§ Mr. William Sheltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with any consumer interests regarding the question of value added tax and children's shoes; and what were his conclusions.
§ Mr. BarberI have decided that consumers should be represented on the committee of inquiry which is being set up to consider the relationship between the price of children's footwear and the incidence of foot abnormality, and other matters. The names of the members of the committee will be announced shortly.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will 336W now announce the date of his inquiry into the effect of value added tax on children's shoes.
§ Mr. BarberThe members of the committee of inquiry will be announced shortly and it will then be for the chairman to settle the date of the first meeting of the committee.