asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the reasons why he will not give an estimate as to what extent the adoption of a similar system of a value-added tax of 15 per cent., 23 per cent. and 7½ per cent. on food will affect the British consumer and the revenue to the Exchequer, in view of the fact that evidence is available of these taxes operating in the European Economic Community.

It would be misleading and wasteful of resources to make estimates for hypothetical schemes.