§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will give details of the public funds which have been spent to date preparing for the introduction of a wealth tax; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has now completed his consideration of the wealth tax in the light of the report of the Select Committee; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesThe cost so far of staff engaged on planning for a wealth tax is about £1 million. As regards accommodation costs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave on 5th August in reply to the hon. Member for Dover and Deal (Mr. Rees)—[Vol. 916, c. 990].
The consideration of the work of the Select Committee, referred to in my right hon. Friend's reply to my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay)—[Vol. 902, c. 705–6] is continuing and I have nothing at present to add to that statement.
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