HC Deb 10 November 1932 vol 270 cc496-8
41. Mr. HEPWORTH

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider in the next Finance Bill the desirability of making a statutory allowance in respect of payments by children for the maintenance of unemployed parents?

46. Mr. DUNCAN GRAHAM

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, now that the financial condition of the country has improved, he will consider the advisability of granting a rebate in income Tax to those persons whose earnings are taken into consideration by public assistance committees in the application of the means test?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given on the 25th October last to a similar question by the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel).

53. Mr. WHITE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware of the hardships arising in cases where employed children are obliged under the working of the means test to (maintain their parents and other relatives, without enjoying the benefit of any statutory Income Tax allowances; and if he will consider this matter in connection with future legislation?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given this afternoon by my right hon. Friend in reply to questions by the hon. Members for East Bradford (Mr. Hepworth) and Hamilton (Mr. D. Graham).

44. Mr. TOUCHE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that as from 17th August, 1932, the Board of Inland Revenue, in granting relief under Section 34 of the Income Tax Act., 1918, in respect of trading losses, limit the addition for wear and tear to any wear and tear of the year of loss which has not been allowed in the assessment for that year, and no longer allow the addition to trading losses of the amounts of annual interest and charges; and, as these restrictions of the concessions granted under this Section increase the burden of taxation on manufacturing industries suffering from trade losses, will he consider reverting to the former procedure which was in operation for several years?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I fear it would not be possible to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. The Board of Inland Revenue have, however, had brought to their notice certain cases in which it is claimed that hardship is involved by the modification of the former procedure. The Board are investigating the matter, and I hope to be able to communicate further with my hon. Friend at an early date.