§ Mr. Gibson-Wattasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make further appointments to the turnover tax inquiry to help Mr. Gordon Richardson.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am happy to say that Mr. H. A. Benson and Sir Donald MacDougall have accepted my invitations to join Mr. Gordon Richardson as members of the Committee to inquire into the practical effects of instituting a turnover tax in this country. Mr. Benson is a partner in Cooper Brothers and Company, Chartered Accountants. Sir Donald MacDougall is Economic Director of the National Economic Development Office, though in this inquiry he will be acting in his personal capacity.
The terms of reference of the Committee will be as follows:
To inquire into the practical effects of the introduction of a form of turnover tax, either in addition to existing taxation, or in substitution either for the Purchase Tax or the Profits Tax or both.In conducting the inquiry regard should be had to (a) the development of the economy and the promotion of exports; (b) the fair distribution of the burden of taxation; (c) the maintenance of the revenue, and (d) efficiency in tax collection and administration.The Secretary to the Committee will be Mr. E. A. Knight of H.M. Customs and Excise. Anyone who wishes to make representations to the Committee should send them to the following address:
The Secretary,
Turnover Tax Inquiry,
Room 502,
King's Beam House,
Mark Lane,
London, E.C.3.