61. Sir I. Clark Hutchisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship which will result from the recent decision that Purchase Tax must be charged on gear supplied to officers or members of the crews of fishing vessels; and if he will reconsider this decision.
§ Mr. H. BrookeNo. The gear in question is in fact clothing. For a time it was allowed free of tax as ship's stores, but this was stopped recently when it was found that it is sold to individual seamen and becomes their personal property.