HC Deb 30 March 1971 vol 814 cc1344-5
20. Mr. Dormand

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has given further consideration to a tax allowance for clothing for disabled persons; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Higgins

The tax system cannot set out to take account of the specific expenses of particular groups of people, however deserving.

Mr. Dormand

Is the Minister of State aware of the very considerable hardship caused to handicapped people by this iniquitous imposition? Does he not agree that the amount of revenue lost if such a concession were to be granted would be negligible and that the mark of a civilised society is the degree to which the better off can help those who are worse off?

Mr. Higgins

I would not be at all unsympathetic to the hon. Gentleman's approach. I am well aware of the points he has raised. My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary and I have answered a number of questions upon it, but, having studied the matter very closely, we felt bound to come to the conclusion that it would not be right to seek to give help in this way but rather through the normal workings which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

Mr. Molloy

Will the hon. Gentleman agree to the question I asked earlier, that if the disabled, who have more expenses than able-bodied people, do not get some relief, and if rich, well-off, able-bodied people do, this spells a disastrous future for the good name of the country?

Mr. Higgins

We are deeply concerned about the problems of the disabled, but it is more effective to take action through the workings of the social services than otherwise.