HC Deb 25 January 1945 vol 407 cc986-7W
Sir A. Heneage

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to attempts by southern Irish labourers to blackmail farmers as regards Pay-as-you-earn regulations; and if he will take steps to prevent it in future.

Mr. Peake

I am aware of the reports that cases have occurred where prospective employees have refused to take on a job unless the employer agreed to pay their wages in full without deductions of Income Tax. The law imposes on all employers the obligation to deduct from all wages they pay the proper amount of tax under the Pay-as-you-earn system. Any employer who fails to deduct tax remains liable to report the wages paid and to pay over to the Inland Revenue the tax which he ought to have deducted. Employers to whom suggestions are made that wages should be paid without the proper tax deductions can put an end to such practices by carrying out their obligations under the law and refusing to lend themselves to any such form of evasion.

Sir C. Edwards

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Inland Revenue authorities have instructed the Great Western Railway Company to pay Mr. W. Clements, 21, Sarn Place, Risco, Monmouthshire, a railway guard, the sum of £3 a week only, to take the rest for Income Tax to repay an alleged debt of £6 10s. for his daughter keeping house for him; that this man pays 17s. 6d. weekly to his wife who is in a mental home at Caerleon, Monmouthshire, leaving him only 42s. 6d. a week to maintain his home and his daughter; and, as a letter was received from the Treasury stating that the alleged debt for his daughter would be waived, will he make further inquiries into this case.

Mr. Peake

I cannot deal with the application of the Income Tax law in particular cases by way of Question and answer, and I would remind my hon. Friend that this is a case in which he has already received from me a full explanatory letter. If he considers that there is any further point which is not covered by that letter and will communicate it to me, I will cause inquiry to be made and let him know the results in due course.