HC Deb 04 February 1954 vol 523 cc543-4
31. Mrs. White

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the principal recommendations of the Tucker Committee on the treatment for Income Tax purposes of superannuation and pensions schemes; and what action he proposes to take on them.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

On a point of order. As it is two months since we had the opportunity of having the Chancellor of the Exchequer present to answer Questions, and as the Chancellor apparently is not helping us by his presence today, may we have an assurance that he has not given up answering Parliamentary Questions?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

The answer to the Question is as follows: The Committee's report is now being printed and will be published as soon as possible. As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement. My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this opportunity of expressing in public our thanks to Mr. J. Millard Tucker, Q.C., and his colleagues on the Committee for the arduous and valuable work which they have done.

Mrs. White

In view of the disquieting comments made on this matter by Professor Titmuss, may we be assured that we shall have this very important document in ample time to study it before the Chancellor introduces his Budget?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I very much hope that it will be available before the end of the month.