§ 19. Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a Green Paper containing proposals for the reform of personal taxation and social benefits; and what arrangements he will make for consultations on the subject.
§ Mr. BarberI am very well aware of my hon. Friend's interest in this matter, but I have no statement to make at present.
§ 28. Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek establish how much, as a result of all the main budgetary and welfare measures taken by the Government in this last year, namely, the National Insurance Act of July, 1970, the Budgets of October, 1970 and March, 1971, the Family Income Supplement Act 1970, the National Insurance Act and the Social Security Act of June, 1971, has been gained or lost by those earning, respectively, less than £1,000, £1,001–£2,000, £2,001–£5,000, and over £5,000 a year.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanThe information needed to estimate the aggregate effect of these measures upon specified income groups as a whole is not available. But married couples with children have gained significantly from these measures, particularly those with incomes below £1,000 per annum.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances recipients of disablement benefit and special hardship allowance suffer deduction of tax from those benefits.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThese payments are not taxable.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances recipients of unemployment benefit who also receive disablement benefit or special hardship allowance have the latter two benefits assessed as income for income tax purposes; and if he will introduce legislation to end such assessment.
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§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe answer to the first part of the Question is "None", and the second part of the Question therefore does not arise.