HC Deb 30 November 1914 vol 68 cc679-81

"That—

  1. (1) For the last four months of the current Income Tax the rate of Income Tax shall be double the rate fixed by the Finance Act, 1914 (namely, two shillings 680 and six pence, instead of one shilling and three pence), and the rates of Super-tax and of the amounts payable in respect of earned income, and in respect of small incomes under Section six of the Finance Act, 1914, shall also be doubled for that period;
  2. (2) Effect shall be given to the said increase of tax as follows:—
    1. (a) by making such deductions in the case of dividends, interest, or other annual sums due or payable after the fifth day of December, nineteen hundred and fourteen, as will make the total amount deducted in respect of Income Tax for the year equal to that which would have been deducted if Income Tax for the year had been at the rate of one shilling and eight pence; and
    2. (b) by treating the amount payable in respect of any assessments already made of tax chargeable otherwise than by way of deduction or of Super-tax as increased by one-third; and
    3. (c) by increasing any such assessments not already made by one-third; and
    4. (d) where the amount of any exemption, relief, or abatement under the Income Tax Acts is to be determined by reference to the amount of Income Tax on any sum, by calculating the amount of the tax at one shilling and eight pence.
  3. (3) That it is expedient to give relief in certain cases in respect of diminution of income caused by the present War, and that any relief so given should be in substitution for such relief (if any) as may be claimed in those cases under the Income Tax Acts.
  4. (4) It is declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1913."—[Mr. Montagu.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

Mr. PROTHERO

I do not know if I shall be ruled out of order on the first occasion of addressing this House, but I want to put a question as to whether the pensions of soldiers and sailors can be altogether exempted from Income Tax, or whether, failing that, as they have already given their services to the country, the Government will consider if they can be exempted from, at least, the higher scale of Income Tax Duty? If I am in order, I shall be glad to raise that point.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member will have an opportunity to do so on the Bill. This is only the Resolution upon which the Bill is founded. The Bill will be introduced in a moment or two, and will then be circulated. When it is discussed, either on Monday, or at a subsequent stage, the hon. Member will have an opportunity of raising the exact point of which he has given notice.

Question put, and agreed to.