§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to restore the pre-1949 position by making national insurance contributions tax deductible, at the same time as he makes benefits reckonable for tax.
§ Mr. Peter ReesNo. The fact that short-term as well as long-term benefits will be taxable does not affect the balance of the arguments which since 1965 have persuaded successive Governments that tax relief should not be given for National Insurance contributions.