§ 38. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of uncertainty and financial difficulties experienced by disabled people in purchasing equipment specially designed for them, he will consider proposing that value-added tax will not be allowed to impose an additional burden for disabled people purchasing equipment designed exclusively for them; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanMy right hon. Friend is considering all aspects of the value-added tax and will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.
§ 46. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply he has given to the representations made to him by the Newspaper Society in regard to the effect of value-added tax on the regional and local newspaper industry.
§ Mr. HigginsMy right hon. Friend has assured the Newspaper Society that its representations will be borne in mind when the time comes to take decisions about the scope and nature of the relief to be given to newspapers, periodicals and books.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made on United Kingdom prices of harmonising British legislation with that of the European Economic Community by the introduction of a value-added tax at the rate currently being applied by France and Germany.
§ Mr. HigginsNone.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to relieve the hardship caused to people on low incomes by the imposition of the value-added tax.
§ Mr. HigginsMy right hon. Friend does not accept that the introduction of value-added tax in the United Kingdom combined with the abolition of S.E.T. and purchase tax will necessarily have the result assumed in the Question.
§ Mr. Redmondasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had asking him, in view of the complications involved in the application of value-added tax to a variety of trades and industries, to postpone its introduction beyond the present date contemplated; and what consideration he is giving to this proposition.
§ Mr. HigginsI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Joel Barnett) on 12th November, 1971. As my right hon. Friend reaffirmed during the debate on the Address on 41W 9th November, V.A.T. is planned to come into operation in April, 1973.—[Vol. 825, c. 286–7 and 852.]