§ 98. Miss WILKINSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Department of Income Tax are demanding Income Tax from weekly wage earners who are compelled by the means test authorities to maintain adult able-bodied unemployed relatives, and refusing to allow dependants' rebate in respect of such relatives; and whether he would be prepared to issue instructions that, where the granting of such rebates brings the income below tax level, such claims should not be pressed?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)The hon. Member will find, on referring to the OFFICIAL REPORT, that this matter was considered on 19th June last. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Miss WILKINSONDoes the Minister not propose to make any alteration in an administrative Order which bears so hardly on very poor people?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINReference to the report I have mentioned will show that the hardship has been very much removed.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these things are going on now, and that representations are being made now to the Department, whatever the Report says?