§ 54. Major HILLSasked the Prime Minister whether he will receive a deputation of married women on the subject of Income Tax?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green on the 5th March.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONIs it not a fact that in answer to a previous question my hon. Friend said the Chancellor of the Exchequer could not receive a deputation, while this question is in reference to a deputation to the Prime Minister? Will my hon. Friend answer?
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order!
143. Mr. G. DOYLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that a Royal Commission is about to be set up for the purpose of inquiring into the incidence relative to the levying of Income Tax, and having regard to the necessity of the Commission being in a position to examine the question in its bearing on taxation generally, he will extend the terms of reference to the Commission to cover an inquiry into all forms of direct taxation, or, alternatively, if he will immediately appoint a separate Commission to inquire into the whole incidence of direct taxation?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs at present advised, my right hon. Friend is not prepared to adopt either of the suggestions made by my hon. Friend.
§ 147. Mr. CROOKSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a man who is gradually, with the assistance of a building society, purchasing his house is liable to be assessed for Income Tax on the estimated rental?
§ Mr. BALDWINIn the case suggested by my right hon. Friend no tax would be borne by the purchaser of the house if his total income from all sources were within the exemption limit of £130. In computing the total income the annual value of the house falls to be included, but a deduction would be made in respect of the interest payable to the building society, and where the purchaser is liable to tax he would bear tax as regards the house only upon the balance of the net annual value, i.e., after the statutory allowance for repairs and a deduction for the building society interest.
§ 150. Sir FREDERICK YOUNGasked whether the Royal Commission on Income Tax has yet been appointed; and, if not, of how many Members it will consist?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to anounce the constitution of the Commission at an early date.