HC Deb 30 September 1915 vol 74 cc1015-6W
Sir LEO CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, in amplification of the White Paper, No. 345, on rates of Income Tax for earned incomes of £131, £140, £150, £160, £180, £200, £250, £300, £350, £400, £450, and £500, the amounts of Income Tax in each case actually payable if the taxpayer is childless or has one, two, or three young children, giving the abatements allowed, the special abatements in respect of children, and the nominal and virtual rates of tax expressed as pence in the pound?

Mr. McKENNA

I am sending my hon. Friend a statement giving the information he desires.

Mr. THOMAS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the lowering of the limit of exemption from Income Tax brings a number of workers within the scope of the Act who suffer deductions from their pay towards superannuation funds and State insurance, and, therefore, unlike the middle and upper classes, do not take out insurance policies to any great extent in order to provide for infirmity and old age; and, having regard to this fact, whether he proposes to make an allowance for all contributions paid for superannuation, State insurance, and any other provident benefits, so that these persons shall not be at a disadvantage as compared with the higher classes who are granted an allowance for insurance premiums up to one-sixth of their total income?

Mr. McKENNA

Existing Income Tax payers are allowed relief on premiums paid for life insurance or deferred annuities, but not on premiums paid for other kinds of insurance. Contributions to superannuation funds for providing pensions on retirement from service are within the same principle and are allowed as deductions for Income Tax purposes. No payments for benefits in sickness are allowed, whether they take the form of premiums to insurance companies, etc., or contributions to the National Health Insurance.