HC Deb 03 August 1944 vol 402 cc1602-3
55. Mr. Glanville

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of a woman, not a relative, being engaged as housekeeper in the home with a bedridden wife, the husband can obtain an allowance for her wages under Income Tax regulations.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Anderson)

The housekeeper allowance of £50 would be admissible in the circumstances envisaged by my hon. Friend if a resident housekeeper, whether a relative of the taxpayer or not, was maintained or employed to look after a child or children for whom the taxpayer is entitled to relief from Income Tax, but if there were no young children to be looked after the housekeeper allowance would not be available.

Mr. Glanville

Would not the Chancellor of the Exchequer consider altering this regulation in order to bring within its scope the husband of a bedridden wife who has to have a housekeeper?

Sir J. Anderson

I can only point out to the hon. Member that this matter was discussed very fully indeed in the Committee stage on the Finance Bill this year.

Sir H. Williams

Is the Chancellor aware that I twice requested his predecessor to make this change, and that he was always most hard-hearted?