HC Deb 10 March 1960 vol 619 cc735-6

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That a sum, not exceeding £26,229,000, be granted to Her Majesty, to defray the expense of non-effective services, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1961.

8.7 p.m.

Mr. G. R. Howard

I wish to raise one small point on Vote 13, Subhead H, "Pensions and gratuities for conspicuous bravery". I have recently had a case about which I have been in touch with my hon. Friend the Civil Lord. A man was awarded the D.S.O. in the last war and, for some reason, from the monetary award certain sums were deducted by reason of tax.

I think that it is utterly wrong that any money awarded for conspicuous gallantry should be subject to tax. If it is subject to tax, it is equally wrong that, because of some change in the arrangements for payment, the tax should be deducted with no reference to the man.

I hope that my hon. Friend can give me an assurance that he will do what he can to see that payments such as money awards for conspicuous gallantry should either not be subject to tax or, if they are, that reference should be made to the man himself.

3.8 p.m.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

I am afraid that I cannot remember the specific case at the moment. As my hon. Friend knows, I have a large number of Members' cases every week. I should certainly like to look into the facts. I sympathise with the view taken by my hon. Friend. It seems very sensible. Perhaps I can write to him on this issue.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved,

That a sum, not exceeding £26.229,000, be granted to Her Majesty, to defray the expense of non-effective services, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1961.