§ 56. Mrs. Tateasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are already cases of husbands who are in receipt of their wives' post-war credits refusing to hand them over; and if he will take steps to ensure that wives have, in these cases, power to obtain possession of their own money.
§ Sir J. AndersonMy hon. Friend has, no doubt, in mind the issue of post-war credit certificates, for under the provisions of Section 7 of the Finance Act, 1941, the post-war credit itself is not payable till after the termination of hostilities. Where the wife has income it is not necessary for her to secure her husband's agreement before claiming a division of the post-war credit. Although the certificate of post-war credit for the year is sent to the husband in the first instance it is open to the wife, if she has income of her own, to apply to the Inspector of Taxes for the credit to be divided between them. It is then divided in whatever proportion the husband and wife agree upon if they choose to make it a matter of agreement; otherwise it is divided in the manner set out in Section 7 of the Finance Act, 1941, that is to say in proportion to their respective incomes. A leaflet explaining the wife's right to claim a division of the post-war credit is sent to married women in employment at about the time of issue of the certificates; this leaflet, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, explains the procedure to be followed and incorporates a form of application for a division. I would add that where a division of the post-war credit is claimed the wife is sent a separate certificate for her share.
§ Mrs. TateMay I ask my right hon. Friend to be so exceedingly gracious as to put that in very simple language for some of the women who may need it?