asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give an estimate of the number of Purchase Tax certificates, under Section 24 (1) of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1940, issued by traders each year; and if he will take steps for such certificates to have a validity of five years instead of twelve months.

I have no means of estimating the number of such certificates issued; nor can I agree to extend their period of validity in view of the revenue risks involved.