HC Deb 09 July 1940 vol 362 c1096W
Brigadier-General Clifton Brown

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will permit a condition that loans made to the Government free of interest may be used at any time for the satisfaction of taxes due to the Inland Revenue Department?

Sir K. Wood

As I stated in the appeal which I made on 18th June, it would be most convenient if loans free of interest could be made uniformly for the period of the war and three months thereafter. I recognise, however, that there are many people who are not in a position to make loans to the Government free of interest for the duration of the war, but would gladly lend money free of interest for a shorter period until their tax liabilities fall due. In such cases I suggest that the best way in which they can help is to make advance payments in respect of their future tax liabilities to the Board of Inland Revenue at Somerset House. This is really equivalent to making a loan to the Government free of interest for the shorter period and will be equally beneficial to the Exchequer.