§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to set up an independent inquiry into the cost, in foreign exchange, of the International Commodity Agreements of which the United Kingdom is a member.
112Wfinancial year since 1966–67, the amount refunded, and the amount paid in premiums to manufacturing industries for each region until April 1968 and for development areas in each region for the financial year 1968–69.
§ Mr. TaverneThe following table shows the available estimates for Great Britain. I will write to the hon. Member about refunds. The selective employment tax is a transferred tax so that questions relating to its incidence in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Northern Ireland Government.
§ Mr. TaverneNo. Assessment of the potential cost depends essentially upon assumptions as to the levels of price and supply in the absence of these agreements. I do not think that any estimate, whether prepared by the Government or by independent sources, would be meaningful.