43. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why a Purchase Tax of 33⅓ per cent. is charged by His Majesty's Stationery Office on stationery supplied to hon. Members for the furtherance of their official duties; if he will consider abolishing this; and to what extent Government Departments are subject, in respect of their stationery, to a similar impost.
§ Sir S. Cripps:Stationery is supplied by the Stationery Office free of charge for use in Government Departments and in both Houses of Parliament. But the stationery which hon. Members purchase from the Stationery Office for use elsewhere is not exempt from the Purchase Tax which is chargeable on all bought stationery.