§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with reference to the Selective Employment tax, he will state the estimated total of premiums as a proportion of the estimated total of payments for one financial year in the mid-Wales area consisting of the counties of 213W Merioneth, Montgomery, Brecon, Radnor, and Cardiganshire.
§ Mr. DiamondI regret that the available statistics do not enable me to make a reliable estimate for these areas.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why estimated figures for tax payments and premia under the Selective Employment Tax are available for the Highlands, but not for other areas, as defined in Command Paper No. 2864.
§ Mr. DiamondEstimates of employment by sectors of industry in the regions of Scotland were made by the Ministry of Labour for Cmnd. 2864. The figure for the Highlands given in my answer of 19th May was a broad approximation and it would be misleading to extend this form of estimate to other areas.
§ Dr. Hugh Grayasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt recognised manufacturers who wish to opt out of receiving the benefits of the Selective Employment Tax.
§ Mr. DiamondAs the White Paper explains, the tax will necessarily be collected from all who pay normal employer; national insurance contributions. Any manufacturing employer who does not wish to receive the premium need not make a claim.
§ Sir L. Healdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the annual cost to private hospitals and nursing services, respectively, of the Selective Employment Tax as proposed in Command Paper No. 2986.
§ Mr. DiamondThis information is not available.