§ Mr. Waltersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much value added tax was collected on the sale of tomb headstones during the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. BrookeI regret that information is not available on which to base an estimate.
§ Mr. Waltersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider reviewing the question of tax on tombstones, in view of the additional distress this may cause to bereaved relatives of the deceased.
§ Mr. BrookeThis has been considered on a number of occasions, but the conclusion has always been that the414W relief in this area should be limited to the basic cost of funerals and that it should not extend to commemorative items, the provision of which has been regarded as a matter of choice rather than necessity.
§ Mr. Waltersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the classification of tomb headstones as non-essential goods and therefore liable to value added tax.
§ Mr. BrookeA small number of individual letters are received each year from hon. Members and members of the public.