asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under his regulations, Christmas presents given by a company to its customers may be treated by the company as expenses before tax.

Not unless they fall within the exception in Section 15, Finance Act, 1965, for gifts to overseas customers or for small advertising gifts.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that this minor evasion of tax by presenting Christmas presents to people is going on on too great a scale? Will he make what he has just said well known to prevent this abuse from spreading further?

I am very interested in what the hon. Gentleman has to say.