§ 7. Mr. Iremongerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to exempt from income tax the course and examination fees and cost of text books incurred by clerks articled to solicitors and chartered accountants.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion; but I see considerable difficulties in the way of making a special exception for articled clerks from the general rule that the cost of acquiring professional or technical qualifications does not rank for tax relief.
§ Mr. IremongerSince these are students, why should these well-motivated and constructive students be penalised when the little "nut cases" who "bust up" the universities get subsidies?
§ Mr. JenkinI am not sure that there is a parallel to be drawn between the two. There is a well-established tax rule that 472 the cost of acquiring professional qualifications cannot count as part of the expense of carrying on a profession. It would be difficult to make an exception to that rule.
§ Mr. BarnettIs not the expense "wholly and necessarily incurred" in the earning of an income? Should not the hon. Gentleman inform the Inland Revenue that it should allow it?
§ Mr. JenkinOn the contrary. I differ from the hon. Member with diffidence, but this is a matter of tax law which was decided in the courts last year. Such a claim as this is not allowable.