§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the Selective Employment Tax on employment levels in the development areas and what statistics are available in this regard; what consideration he is giving to easing the incidence of the tax on the distributive trades in these areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DiamondThere are no statistics distinguishing the effects of the Selective Employment Tax from other influences on employment in the Development Areas. The distributive trades will benefit from the increased economic activity which the Government's regional policies aim to achieve.