§ Sir J. Edenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, in view of the fact that the present system of administering Selective Employment Tax, graduated pensions and National Insurance benefits creates a heavy burden for industry, commerce and local government, he will investigate the possibilities of introducing modern methods for the collection of contributions and the distribution of benefits and of achieving the simplification of the whole structure of taxation;
(2) what is his estimate of the cost to industry and commerce of operating the Selective Employment Tax and National Insurance schemes; what investigation he is making with a view to the introduction of modern methods of contribution assessment and benefit distribution; and if he will make a statement about the extent of the burden on industry caused by the complications of the present tax system.
§ Mr. MacDermotMuch progress has been and is being made with computerisation and every effort will continue to be made to achieve greater simplicity. No estimate of the cost referred to is available.