§ Mr. Altonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the abolition of reliefs for merchant seamen on foreign earnings and emoluments; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MooreSince my reply to a similar question on 10 May from my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, North-West (Sir A. Meyer), at column 1066, my colleagues and I have received some further 1,100 letters from seafarers and persons representing them. Many of these have been signed by a number of seafarers so that since the Budget some 2,000 of them have either written personally or signed a joint letter.
My right hon. Friend and I have explained to the House the reasons why the 25 per cent. foreign earnings deduction should be withdrawn for all employees. It would not be right to make an exception and retain the relief for a particular group of workers.