§ Mr. Higginsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates will be the weekly cost to a married man on average industrial earnings with two children under 11 years of age of the increase in indirect taxes and duties proposed in his Budget speech.
§ Dr. GilbertThe answer would depend on the pattern of spending of a married man in these circumstances; and I regret that up-to-date information about patterns of spending is not available.
§ Mr. Higginsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effects on demand of the extension of VAT to petrol and to confectionery, ice cream, soft drinks and crisps, and the increase in duty on tobacco, spirits, wine and beer, respectively.
§ Dr. GilbertIt is not the practice to give demand effects of specific tax changes.