§ 68. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed registered in the radio and aircraft industries at the latest convenient date; and what are the comparative figures for the same period in 1960.
§ Mr. P. ThomasThe table below gives the information desired:
cipal exporting countries. As to the second part of the Question, sales of cars overseas have been affected by many factors and it is not possible to isolate the effect of Purchase Tax.
§ 70. Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the exports of British commercial road vehicles have substantially increased since the abolition of Purchase Tax there-on; and whether he will now publish an analysis, including statistics, showing the outcome of Purchase Tax abolition on commercial vehicles' sales oversea, with a view to the reduction of Purchase Tax on non-commercial vehicles, in order to stimulate sales oversea.
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§ Mr. BarberI am aware of the export figures for commercial vehicles, but I cannot say to what extent they were affected by the removal of Purchase Tax from road vehicle chassis, nor can I anticipate my Budget statement.
§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the damage clone to the export trade of the industries concerned, he will give an undertaking to make special investigations into the effect of the 50 per cent. rate of Purchase Tax applicable to motor cars, radio, television, and cosmetics, before his next Budget.
§ Mr. BarberI do not accept the implication of the first part of the Question. Purchase Tax, in common with all other taxes, is included in the normal pre-Budgetary review of taxation when all relevant factors are taken into account. No special investigations are therefore necessary.
§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present annual yield of Purchase Tax on motor cars, compared with 1951; and what will be the approximate yield in each of the next five years if no reduction in Purchase Tax on cars is made and the car population of the United Kingdom increases at the speed forecast by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. BarberThe Purchase Tax receipts for motor cars in 1951 and 1960 were approximately£30 million and£185 million respectively. The forward estimates requested by my hon. Friend are not available.