HC Deb 17 January 1945 vol 407 c171W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is prepared to reconsider the decision to charge a Purchase Tax on gift parcels sent to relatives and friends of men of the Forces serving in India and S.E.A.C., in view of the hardships caused to the recipients in some cases and the distress to the senders who are at present unaware that such a tax is levied, since U.S.A. troops can send similar parcels and no tax is charged.

Sir J. Anderson

I am afraid I could not agree to provide unlimited freedom from Purchase Tax for parcels from members of the Forces, or to make a special concession for Forces serving in India and S.E.A.C. My hon. and gallant Friend will have seen, however, from the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Clackmannan and Eastern (Mr. Woodburn) that the concession for Forces serving overseas has been extended to permit the sending of presents, each year, to the value of £12 free of Purchase Tax as of Customs duty.