§ 13. Mr. Ashleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has now received from widows about their financial plight; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinWe have received a number of representations from hon. Members and organisations and also from widows personally. We have replied, as always, fully and with sympathy.
§ Mr. AshleyWidows will appreciate the hon. Gentleman's sympathy, but could he offer them a little more? Is he aware that many working widows go out to work in middle age, after having been bereaved, and that they should often be treated as special cases, because they have no expertise and experience of industry? In the light of those circumstances, will he not consider offering them higher tax relief on their earnings?
§ Mr. JenkinI hope that every Government will always have great sympathy with the difficulties experienced by widows, particularly those women to whom the hon. Gentleman has referred who go out to work after they have been bereaved. Indeed, the Government will have sympathy with all in reduced circumstances. But it would not be right for me now to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.
§ Mr. CormackBearing in mind what my hon. Friend has just said, during the next fortnight would he, together with my right hon. Friend, pay particular regard to those women who are living on maintenance payments, which payments are taxed at present as unearned income?
§ Mr. JenkinAs my hon. Friend will know, when the new system of unified tax comes into force next year the first slice of investment income will be taxed at the same rate as earned income and, as 1223 I pointed out in the Budget debates last year, will be of great value to that particular category of persons.