Income Tax

HC Deb 30 January 1951 vol 483 cc719-20

52. Sir John Mellor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend to employees generally the same freedom from assessment to Income Tax upon benefits in kind or cash allowances in lieu as he extends to coalminers, who are not assessed upon free coal or cash substituted for free coal.

Mr. Gaitskell

In general, the value of benefits in kind received by an employee (other than a director or senior executive) is not assessable to tax unless the benefits are convertible into money. In this respect accordingly, the miner is treated the same as other employees. The exemption from tax of cash allow- ances paid to miners in lieu of free coal is a concession introduced during the war as part of a scheme to save coal by encouraging miners to accept such allowances instead. This concession has not yet been withdrawn, but I am afraid I could not agree that it should be regarded as a precedent for concessions in other fields.

Sir J. Mellor

What is the difference in principle between one cash allowance and another? Why not treat all alike?

Mr. Gaitskell

I have already explained that, except in this one instance, they are all treated alike.

Sir H. Williams

What is the reason for the discrimination between directors and high executives and other people?

Mr. Gaitskell

It is obvious that in the case of personal incomes of, for instance, more than £2,000, which is the dividing line, there is no question of any hardship arising.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the Chancellor aware that anyone who envies the miner his concession can get it himself if he takes the necessary steps?

57. Mr. Norman Bower

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that personal remuneration made to nonprofessional stockholders' representatives for their services in connection with the transfer of the electricity companies to the British Electricity Authority has been held to be subject to tax; and if, in view of the fact that they were casual payments of a non-recurring nature, he will reconsider this decision.

Mr. Gaitskell

The liability to Income Tax of these payments is a question of law which falls to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Acts. If the taxpayers concerned are not satisfied as to their liability, it is, of course, open to them to appeal against their assessments to the appropriate body of Commissioners.