HC Deb 04 November 1954 vol 532 cc61-2W
9. Mr. John Hall

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the difference under his Regulations in the rate of Purchase Tax on plain and on coloured greeting cards; what is the reason for the differentiation; and the total yield of Purchase Tax from this source at the last financial year.

Mr. H. Brooke

Broadly speaking, greeting cards printed in three or more colours are taxable at the rate of 75 per cent. and those printed in less than three colours at 25 per cent. This distinction was adopted after consulting the trade as to the most convenient way of identifying the more elaborate cards.

The yield of Purchase Tax from greeting cards in the financial year 1953–54 was about £2 million.