HC Deb 29 November 1955 vol 546 c179W
54. Mr. Lewis

asked 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. Butler

Without 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.