HC Deb 11 May 1944 vol 399 cc2079-80
46. Sir William Davison

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give further consideration to the hardship now suffered by Under-Secretaries of State in not being allowed to deduct for Income Tax the necessary expenses allowed to other Members of Parliament, and if he will make a statement on the subject.

Mr. Attlee

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 6th July and 23rd September last to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Sir H. Williams), to which I have nothing to add at this juncture.

Sir W. Davison

May I ask the Minister to understand that no Under-Secretary has suggested this Question, and may I further ask him why what is perhaps the hardest worked section of the House are denied something which is considered just in the case of all other Members of Parliament, so that their promotion often leaves them poorer than before; and will my right hon. Friend inform the House what there is to justify such a procedure?

Mr. Attlee

The matter was very fully considered by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer, in consultation with the Under-Secretaries, and a decision was made that the matter had better be left where it is.

Sir H. Williams

Arising out of that, by what authority does the Departmental Inspector of Taxes deny to Under-Secretaries something which is their right by Statute—the necessary expenses incurred?

Mr. Attlee

The position is not exactly as stated by the hon. Member, but, under the rules and regulations—I am not familiar with the details—it is not open to them, when they are Ministers, to claim these expenses as Members of Parliament.

Sir H. Williams

What is the authority for that statement?

Mr. Attlee

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that Question down.

Sir Irving Albery

Is the Minister not aware that Under-Secretaries are, in fact, grossly underpaid?

Mr. Attlee

The salaries of Under-Secretaries were settled by—[Interruption]—1 will, however, look further into this matter.

Colonel Arthur Evans

On what grounds do His Majesty's Government assume that the expenses of a Member of Parliament cease to have effect immediately he takes office as an Under-Secretary?

Sir W. Davison

On a point of Order. I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter again on the Motion for the Adjournment.

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask if there is any shortage of applicants for the jobs?

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