§ 41. Mr. Simmonsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider extending the Income Tax-free concession at present enjoyed by war pensioners to war widows and dependants.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am afraid my right hon. Friend could not see his way to adopt this suggestion, but I would point out that allowances paid to widows of members of the Forces in respect of their children are exempt from tax.
§ Mr. SimmonsCould the Minister explain why there is discrimination between the pension paid to a soldier who was wounded in the war—which is free of Income Tax—and that to a woman who lost her husband in the war? Is he aware that the pensions of war widows are below the National Assistance subsistence scale?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterOn the first point, as the hon. Member is aware, this distinction has gone on for some time. I willingly concede that there are arguments either way. The second point is, of course, a matter for the Minister of Pensions.