§ Mr. Haleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present total estimated revenue of Purchase Tax on Christmas greetings cards; and what the estimated cost would be of granting exemption to registered charities.
§ Mr. DiamondReceipts of Purchase Tax on all greeting cards and similar articles are estimated at about £7 million24W a year. Receipts from Christmas cards are not separately recorded but it is known that they represent a substantial part of the total. As regards the second part of the Question, charity cards are sold in competition with cards distributed through commercial channels so that exemption for the former would tend to eliminate demand for the latter and the whole of the revenue from Christmas cards would be at risk.