§ 51 and 52. Captain Duncanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will abolish the 33⅓ per cent. Purchase Tax on seaboot hose used by fishermen;
(2) whether he will abolish the 33⅓ per cent. Purchase Tax on gutting gloves used by fishermen and fishergirls which adds 8s. 1½d. to the price of a dozen pairs.
§ Mr. GaitskellI regret that I cannot make exceptions for these articles.
§ Captain Bullockasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider reducing Purchase Tax on uniforms for voluntary organisations, such as the Church Lads' Brigade, to bring them into line with pre-service organisations whose uniforms are issued free of charge.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe difficulties of providing relief for these articles were fully explained during the debate on the 1948 Finance Bill. I am afraid that those difficulties still exist and must be regarded as decisive.