§ 20. Mr. Skinnerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many income-taxpayers have had the fixed allowance, as it affects working expenses for clothing, &c. adjusted during the past five years.
§ Mr. HigginsI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many thousands of weekly-paid manual workers, including many miners, have seen the fixed allowance depreciate by up to 50 per cent. over the past few years? Will he give instructions to the Inland Revenue to take a little time off from adjusting surtax rates downwards and move the workers' fixed allowance upwards?
§ Mr. HigginsI do not think that to look at it in that sort of way is helpful, but I will bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says.