§ Mr. Nabarro110, 111 and 117. asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware of the loss to national efficiency which results from the fact that at the present time oil or solid fuel boilers and water heaters, non-electric floor polishers, non-electric clothes airers and cupboards, and paraffin oil stoves and radiators are exempt from Purchase Tax, whereas electric storage and immersion heaters, electric floor polishers, electric drying cabinets and electric fires and radiators are chargeable to Purchase Tax at 60 per cent.; and whether he will review at the earliest possible opportunity the 60 per cent. Purchase Tax rate at present charged on labour-saving and efficient household equipment;
129W(2) whether he is aware that the quality of coloured postcards on sale in this country compares unfavourably with those obtainable in the United States of America and Canada and in continental countries, and that this fact is indirectly damaging to the tourist business and has a deleterious effect on the export trade; and whether, in these circumstances, he will review the present arrangements under which good quality coloured postcards sold in this country are subjected to Purchase Tax at 90 per cent.;
(3) whether he is aware of the loss to national efficiency which results from the fact that at the present time old-fashioned carpet beaters and carpet sweepers, hand-operated washing machines, hand wringers or mangles, non-electric irons and tin kettles and saucepans are subject only to 15 per cent. Purchase Tax, whereas electric vacuum cleaners, electric washing machines, are subject to 60 per cent. tax and electric smoothing irons and eleectric kettles and cooking utensils to 30 per cent.; and, having regard to the fact that these arrangements place a premium on household manual labour and drudgery, whether he will review at the earliest possible opportunity the higher Purchase Tax rate at present charged on mechanised labour-saving and efficient household equipment.