HC Deb 07 May 1959 vol 605 cc60-1W
30. Mrs. McKay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much it would be necessary to increase the personal allowances for a married wage-earner, who is under 65 years and a single wage-earner who is under 65 years, beyond the £240 and £140 allowances, in order to ensure exemption from Income Tax of a married wage-earner who has a wage of £440 per year and is under 65 years, and a single man under 65 years who earns £275 per year, thus equating their position as taxpayers with that of married men and single men of 65 years or more, with investment incomes of £440 and £275, respectively, who are exempt from Income Tax.

Mr. Simon

By £103 for a married man and £74 for a single person.

31. Mrs. McKay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt from Income Tax wage-earners, regardless of age, who are married with a yearly wage of less than £440, and single men with a wage of less than £275, in view of the fact that these men are in a worse economic position than people aged 65 years with an investment income equal to the wages mentioned.

Mr. Simon

No. I cannot agree that the special provisions exempting elderly people with incomes not exceeding the figures mentioned should be extended to younger people.