21 MARCH 1958, Page 16

CONVERTED VANS AND PURCHASE TAX SIR,—One of the references to

purchase tax in last week's 'Westminster Commentary' may have misled any reader aiming at 'providing his family with a tolerable saloon car at a not too inflated priee.'

Producing a car or shooting-brake by inserting windows in a van does not avoid purchase tax. Any- one doing such a job must inform the local Officer of Customs and Excise (whose address may be found in the telephone directory) and pay the appropriate tax. Failure to do so involves legal penalties.—Yours faithfully,

MAURICE NOCKLES

Press and Information Officer HM Customs and Excise, King's Beam House, Mark Lane, EC3