54. Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the personal allowance to married women who work, together with their graded income reliefs and the tax relief to their husbands, makes their position favourable compared with that of working widows and spinsters; and if he will take steps to ensure equality of treatment by introducing equal pay without further delay.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI do not think that the special tax reliefs to which my hon. Friend refers are a compelling argument in favour of the immediate introduction of equal pay.
Miss WardWhile the favourable position of married women is appreciated, may I ask if my right hon. Friend considers it fair that working widows and 1803 spinsters should not share these advantages, and will he consider that point in relation to the introduction of equal pay at an early stage?
§ Mr. ButlerI will consider it, but I do not think it is a very valid point.
§ Mrs. MannSurely the right hon. Gentleman would agree that working widows and spinsters, given a favourable opportunity, could put this matter right themselves?