HC Deb 23 April 1953 vol 514 cc1375-6
11. Miss Ward

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the improved financial position as disclosed in his Budget statement, the reduction of Surtax and Income Tax as well as Purchase Tax, he will indicate the financial climate he has in mind to enable him to name a date for the introduction of equal pay.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As regards the first part of the Question, no reduction of Surtax was announced in the Budget. As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to previous statements on this subject, which is, in any event, one which cannot conveniently or appropriately be dealt with within the necessarily limited compass of a reply to a Parliamentary Question.

Miss Ward

In view of the decision of the House of Commons last year, will my hon. Friend ask the Government whether they will kindly provide a day in order that my hon. Friend may describe the economic climate which will enable the House to receive its desires? With regard to Surtax is that not a nice bit of sugar put in to make it more difficult for him to answer the Question?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I fully accept my hon. Friend's explanation of the reason for inserting an inaccuracy in her Question. So far as the first part of her supplementary is concerned, the allocation of days for business in this House is not a matter for me.

Mr. G. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that it would not take him long to say "Yes" to these ladies? Is he also aware that there is considerable disappointment in the Civil Service and the teaching profession at the continued obstinacy of the Treasury in this matter?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

On principle, I always like saying "Yes" to ladies.

Miss Ward

Hear, hear.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am glad to see that my hon. Friend corroborates me on that point, at any rate. It has been made quite clear again and again that we are anxious to proceed with this just as soon as the economic and financial condition of the country permits, but like our predecessors, we must, in our responsibility to the country as a whole, retain the right to decide when that state of affairs has been reached.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the Treasury bear in mind that the idea behind the Question is to raise the salaries of women to those of men, and not to reduce the salaries of men to those of women?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I think I understood that to be the suggestion made in the Question, although I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that it could be interpreted in the other sense.

Sir H. Williams

As every Government since 1919 have given approval to this proposal, and as the majority of hon. Members of the House do not, in fact, believe in it, is it not about time that we were honest about it?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I will be responsible only for my own honesty. It is no part of my duty to interpret that of hon. Members.