§ 37. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give instructions that interest shall not be 533 charged on taxation payments which are overdue in cases where the person concerned has post-war credits outstanding.
§ Mr. JohnsonWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that there is something very unfair about a system under which the Treasury insists on its pound of flesh regarding its own money, but makes no attempt to repay its own debts?
§ Mr. SimonNo. There is no connection between tax and interest, which are immediately payable, and post-war credits which are payable at a date which may be many years in the future. The proposal would be tantamount to giving special preference to those credit holders who owe large sums of current tax.
§ 38. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of post-war credits repaid in 1957.
§ Mr. JohnsonMay I ask my hon. and learned Friend if there is any hope of accelerating the rate of repayment, especially to those suffering hardship through being owed this money?
§ Mr. SimonMy hon. Friend will not be surprised to hear me reply that I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.