CONFIDENTIAL
10. A 12% increase in indirect taxation and other charges seems unduly high. Would it not add considerably to the cost of living?
The increase would leave untouched the whole range of Licences
and Fees. Equally unaffected would be Motor Vehicle Taxes as
well as capital revenues such as Estate Duty. There would be no
changes either in Franchises, Royalties or income from rents or
in charges for water and postal and passenger rail services.
Even the increase in Excise Duties would apply solely to tobacco,
liquor and hydrocarbon oils whilst, in the case of Internal
Revenue, changes would be involved for Stamp Duties and taxes
on bets and sweeps, entertainments and hotels only. There would
also be an increase in General Rates. The impact of the increased
levies on the Consumer Price Index is unlikely to be very large
and would certainly be nothing like 12%.
CONFIDENTIAL