§ 13. Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many people resident in the United Kingdom pay Income Tax.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAbout 16½ million, including married women in employment.
§ Mr. BowdenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this figure will correct the erroneous impression in the country arising from the Prime Minister's Glasgow speech, in which the figure stated was nearly 30 million?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterMy right hon. Friend made it perfectly plain, as indeed was made plain by others in the course of the Budget debates that, when account is taken of the families and dependants of Income Tax payers, 30 million people in round figures, benefit from the change introduced by my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. BowdenDoes the hon. Gentleman mean that the few coppers shared by these people on the lower scales, who are relieved by the recent changes, will now be shared with their wives and children?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI would certainly take the view that the ordinary taxpayer, who, in the figures I have indicated, is in a majority, will act in a responsible way, and will use the benefits which flow to him as a result of this Budget to enable him to help to look after those for whom he is responsible. I have complete confidence in that.
§ Mr. WoodburnCan the hon. Gentleman tell us why the 20 million people who are left out in this matter receive no benefit from the Budget?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThere are certain technical difficulties in exempting from Income Tax people who do not pay it.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesIn view of the hon. Gentleman's gymnastics, will he accept the figure that there are now nearly three-quarters of a million unemployed, including the dependants of these people?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterQuestions as to the unemployment figures are, of course, for my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour, and not for me, but it is perhaps important that the hon. Member should appreciate how wide are the effects of Income Tax concessions of this kind.