Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 25 March 1947.
Lieut.-Colonel Dower:
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer if he will consider granting remission of motor taxation in the cases where transport firms have been unable to operate their vehicles for several weeks owing to roads being impassable through the exceptionally bad weather conditions.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
No, Sir. This would be quite impracticable.
Lieut.-Colonel Dower:
Is the Chancellor aware that in the case of many small firms there will be a very serious loss? Is it possible to grant a remission for one month?
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
I have every sympathy with the people concerned, but this is not an administratively practicable possibility.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
The Chancellor - also known as "Chancellor of the Exchequer" is responsible as a Minister for the treasury, and for the country's economy. For Example, the Chancellor set taxes and tax rates. The Chancellor is the only MP allowed to drink Alcohol in the House of Commons; s/he is permitted an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget.
