§ 5. Mr. Whitakerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will in future increase the amount of money available for the social services by reducing the tax allowances of those who are wealthy.
§ Mr. DiamondI have noted my hon. Friend's views but he will understand that my right hon. Friend cannot commit himself to adopt them.
§ Mr. WhitakerI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer. Would he not agree that it is economically and socially indefensible that the highest State help for mortgages, education and child allowances goes to those who least need it?
§ Mr. DiamondI think I covered that point in my first reply. Obviously it is inevitable arithmetical logic that those 1110 who pay the highest tax must have the highest allowances.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in my constituency more people are in need of social aid than in his and that they realise full well that, without the creation of more wealth and tax incentive necessary for this, they will not get the social services needed?
§ Mr. DiamondNo, I was not aware of that, but I would be interested to be given the statistical information.