THE EARL OF MANSFIELDasked His Majesty's Government whether they are aware that the very high purchase tax now levied on Harris and other Scottish tweeds is causing unemployment among the handloom workers in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and whether they are therefore prepared to consider a reduction of the tax to not more than a half of its present level.
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)His Majesty's Government are aware of the difficulties of the Scottish handloom workers. The question of how far this is attributable to purchase tax is being. Investigated.