From Michael Green.
WITH regard to the recent GST debate (JEP, 29 April), it appears that not only are the public of this Island to be burdened with a tax that is totally unpopular and inflationary, but we are now being informed that, as taxpayers, we are not allowed the right to receive a receipt for that tax paid.
In fact, there is every possibility that unless we shop with a calculator permanently attached to our wrists and have the time to use it, we shall never know exactly how much tax we have been charged at the till. Indeed Senator Le Sueur blandly remarks (JEP, 30 April) that people could do the calculation easily enough themselves.
Bearing in mind that GST is a very emotive subject which will seriously affect every citizen in this Island, young and old, rich and poor, one can only imagine that this comment was uttered in all seriousness at the time. But does he really believe that a young mother having a stressful day with young children, or indeed any of our senior citizens who visit the local supermarkets, would have the time to calculate the 3% added to every item taken off the shelf, which may run to many items? If he believes that this is possible, he is living in cloud cuckoo land.
And what of the working man who enjoys a beer in the company of friends at the local pub? Is he also not entitled to know the exact cost of a round of drinks each time, including the 3% added? Or is that group of friends expected to carry a calculator each time they go for a drink together or indeed a meal?
There are many other examples which spring to mind, too numerous to mention here. Clearly to receive a till receipt for the benefit of the customer which shows the grand total of the GST accumulated against purchases is the absolute right of all taxpayers and must not be denied. Are we now expected to be refused a receipt for the amount of income tax paid on the grounds that we could do the calculation ourselves, as suggested by Senator Le Sueur?
And as for the ridiculous comment made by the Transport Minister that he found it depressing to see the amount of tax paid on receipts, his comments as a minister are always equally depressing.
13 Bas du Mont, Pier Road, St Helier.