§ 17. Brigadier Prior-Palmerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, due to the aggregation of married couples income for tax and super-tax purposes, large numbers of highly-qualified women are deterred from following highly-skilled occupations for which they were trained; and if he will take action to remedy this situation for the benefit of the country.
§ Mr. SimonMy right hon. Friend has received representations of the nature outlined by my hon. and gallant Friend; but I cannot anticipate his Budget statement.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that there are large numbers of able women in this country who are assisting it with their ability and brains and who pay super-tax on the very first penny they earn? Would he look at the remarks I made in last year's Budget debate and realise that on the next occasion I shall raise the matter rather more strongly than I did last year?
§ Mr. SimonI am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for that warning and I will gladly prepare myself by reading what he said last year.