§ 36. Mr. G. BARKERasked the Home Secretary, in view of the present acute poverty arising from low wages and unemployment, especially in South Wales and Monmouthshire, if he will take steps to prevent the arrest and imprisonment of workmen who are unable from the foregoing causes to pay their Income Tax arrears?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have no power to interfere in the case of persons committed by the Courts to prison for non-payment of Income Tax. I would, however, call the hon. Member's attention to the reply given on the 13th by the Financial Secretary of the Treasury, in which he pointed out that no defaulter can be imprisoned unless it is proved that he has had means in his possession sufficient to enable him to pay the arrears due.
§ Mr. SEXTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Income Tax, in the case of the casual labourer, is levied on one particular quarter of the year, irrespectively of what he may have earned in the lean quarters, and would he, in the circumstances, be willing to enforce a warrant on a man for one quarter of a year as against the other three quarters?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am afraid I must either have notice of that question, or get the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to answer it for me.
§ Mr. SEXTONI will put it to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.