§ 53. Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present estimated annual yield of Purchase Tax at the varying rates of 50, 25, 12½, and 5 per cent.; and what would be the approximate yield if a uniform rate of Purchase Tax were imposed on all goods at present subject to Purchase Tax but at the respective rates of 10, 12½, or 15 per cent.
§ Mr. BarberOn the basis of the Budget estimate, approximately £222 million, £154 million, £40 million and £55 million. Estimates of the yields58W from the uniform rates suggested by my hon. Friend are conjectural, but they would be unlikely to exceed £270 million, £330 million and £400 million respectively.
§ 54. Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the maintenance of Purchase Tax on cars at the high level of 50 per cent. restricts the ability of the industry to achieve maximum efficiency and economy; and whether, in view of the increasing competition in the export fields from European motor-producing countries which are less burdened so far as Purchase Tax is concerned, he will arrange for his experts to make a specially urgent examination of the position wih a view to remedial action being taken.
§ Mr. BarberI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to his third Question on 10th November, and to that given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Board of Trade, to his second Question of 3rd March.
§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, at an early date, he will consider the durability of removing Purchase Tax entirely from a large range of articles which contribute to national efficiency, such as dustbins, money boxes, leak stops, pot menders, kettle fur-collectors, drip catchers, whistles, and splash preventers.
§ Mr. BarberI cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.