§ 54. Mr. Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that due to the various new and increased taxes proposed in his recent Budget, a young couple now getting married will have to find an additional £30 to £40 for the cost of furnishing their home; and whether he will arrange in his forthcoming April Budget to grant an initial marriage allowance of £50 for Income Tax purposes, to all couples getting married as from October, 1955.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerWithout necessarily accepting the hon. Member's estimate, I appreciate that my Budget proposals do involve additional costs; but on the other hand I would ask him also to bear in mind that I have, this year, wholly exempted from tax all the curtains, towels, tablecloths, bed linen and blankets which a young couple would need to buy. I cannot agree that such extra expenses should involve an increase in Income Tax allowances.