§ 51. Mr. Piratinasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider repaying post-war credits to persons whose income is no longer sufficient to make them liable for Income Tax.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir. The difficulties of extending special treatment in cases of hardship have frequently been explained in Debate.
§ Mr. PiratinWhile that may be true, does not the Chancellor agree that here is an example of how the difficulties can perhaps be overcome? In view of the fact that it is easy to see which people do not pay Income Tax and are, therefore, receiving a very low rate of pay, could he not make this exception?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.
§ 53. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the number of cases of hardship existing, he will make available to the National Assistance Board the sum of £2,000,000, to be allocated to such cases against the 1961 surrender of post-war credit certificates, the value of which could be recouped by the Board when the recipient reached the statutory age.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.
§ Mr. ChetwyndIs the Chancellor aware that this proposal is a very simple solution to a most difficult problem, and that it would not involve legislation or inflation? Would he not agree that now is the time to give some satisfaction to people who think that they will not live long enough to get their post-war credits?
§ Sir S. CrippsI hope they will all be falsified in their expectations; but this would be administratively quite impossible.
§ Mr. ChetwyndWould my right hon. and learned Friend discuss the matter with me and the National Assistance Board?
§ Sir S. CrippsI should not like to waste the hon. Member's time.