Tax that burst soap’s bubble

QUESTION For many years there was a tax on soap in Britain. Why? AT The end of the 17th century the country suffered a financial crisis caused by costly conflicts in Ireland and on the Continent, and unusual taxes were introduced to balance the Treasury books.

In 1696, the exchequer brought in the infamous window tax, levied on any house with more than ten windows. Many people bricked them up to avoid the levy.

From 1709, candles were taxed, and people were forbidden to make their own without a licence. As a result, rushlights — dried rushes impregnated with animal fat — became popular.

Further taxes were imposed during the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1715) including a tax on paper ‘painted, printed or stained to serve as hangings’ (such as wallpaper), stamp duty on newspapers and a tax on soap-making.

Commissioners were appointed to manage the soap tax and a rate of 1d per lb was imposed on British-made bars, with a protective duty of 2d a lb on imports.

Soapmakers had to register boiling houses and other places used for the manufacture or storage of their wares. Detailed accounts had to be kept of the oil, tallow, potash, lime and other raw materials used in the process.

To lessen the effect of the tax on woollen manufacture, one-third of the duty was deducted for the soap that was used.

Other laws prohibited soap from being made in batches of less than one ton, which hit small makers.

As a result, soap became the preserve of the rich. The tax wasn’t lifted until 1853, when soap became inexpensive and business boomed.

Sarah Baro, Debenham, Suffolk. QUESTION Are there any famous Sixties bands still touring with the original line-up? FurTher to the earlier answers, Crosby, Stills & Nash, who were formed in 1968, still tour with their original line-up.

When I saw them at the royal Albert hall, London, in 2011 and 2013, they still performed the harmonies of songs like Guinnevere and Long Time Gone beautifully.

Paul Cleghorn, Bridlington, E. Yorks.