§ Q4. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to amalgamate the Departments of the Inland Revenue responsible for the direct taxation of individuals with the departments of the Ministry of Health and Social Security responsible for the payment of direct benefits to individuals.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on my behalf by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on 1st April, 1969.—[Vol. 781, c. 233.]
§ Sir B. Rhys WilliamsDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall the Labour Party's election pledge to seek ways of integrating tax allowances and cash benefits payable through National Insurance? Is this a pledge that the Government intend to redeem? Is he aware that while the two Departments continue to operate in the old-fashioned way it is obvious that the Government are failing to achieve social justice or to eliminate poverty?
§ The Prime MinisterEveryone appreciates the hon. Gentleman's interest in this subject and the most distinguished contribution made to it some years ago by another member of his family. He will be aware of the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Houghton) who was very keen on the same idea some years ago when he was in charge of these matters. The conclusion reached by the Government at that time was that there is a case for this, and that when computerisation has gone a good deal further, in a year or two, it can be considered then. We examined it thoroughly but it is not possible to do it in a useful or meaningful way now.