HC Deb 24 November 1970 vol 807 cc214-5
10. Sir B. Rhys Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to withdraw the tax allowance for blind persons and to arrange for the payment instead of a positive tax credit of equivalent value from which all blind persons can derive the benefit.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Sir B. Rhys Williams

May we have a statement at the earliest possible date?

Mr. Lipton

The Budget.

Mr. Jenkin

The hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) anticipates. Clearly, this is a budgetary matter on which it would be wrong to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement. But I have read my hon. Friend's article in the Disablement Income Group magazine Progress, and I have taken careful note of what he says.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Why should this be regarded as anticipation of the Budget when we can have a statement that 6d. will be taken off income tax next year? If the Chancellor can announce 6d. off income tax next year, why cannot the Minister of State say to his hon. Friend, "Yes, this will be done next year"?

Mr. Jenkin

With respect, the hon. Gentleman has missed the point. If my right hon. Friend chooses to follow an admirable precedent and announce the rate of income tax for next year, that is one matter; and he has done that. On the other hand, questions about allowances and so forth, such as those raised by my hon. Friend, must await next year's Budget.