HC Deb 08 February 1971 vol 811 c39W
Mr. Moate

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the mounting burden of rail fares, if he will study the possibility of allowing expenses incurred for travelling to and from one's place of work to be borne by employers as a deductible expense, without assessment on the employee, with a view to encouraging the dispersal of offices from London.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I am afraid that I could not entertain this suggestion.

Mr. Moate

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of allowing travel expenses to and from one's regular place of work as an allowance against earnings for income tax purposes.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

No reliable estimate is possible; but the cost would be likely to be some hundreds of millions of pounds.