Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 13 May 1947.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
12:00,
13 May 1947
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer if the 4½d. per mile travelling allowance to building operatives is tax free; and by what authority this concession has been made.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
Threepence of the 4½d. is a time allowance and is taxed as wages. The remaining 1½d. represents additional travelling expenses and is exempt from tax under Section 26 of the Finance Act,. 1942.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Why is this concession given to one section only? Why is it not given to the black-coated workers, the clerks and others in this and other industries? Is it because they are not organised and they do not matter a tinker's cuss?
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
No, Sir. I am merely carrying out the law in this matter. The Finance Act of 1942 was introduced by a very distinguished Conservative Chancellor of the exchequer, and no doubt was supported by the hon. Gentleman.
Mr George Hicks
, Woolwich East
Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion of building operatives are receiving the 4½d. per mile? It must be a very small proportion indeed, and it certainly does not apply to the Majority of those in the trade.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
I have no knowledge of the number and have not been asked what the numbers are. I have been merely asked to define the legal position in regard to these travelling allowances and by what authority the concession is made.
Mr Evelyn Walkden
, Doncaster
Can the right hon. Gentleman say where his authority comes from to concede to Members of Parliament Income Tax relief for travelling expenses to and from their constituencies which concedes the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) 9s. in the £?
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 term "majority" is used in two ways in Parliament. Firstly a Government cannot operate effectively unless it can command a majority in the House of Commons - a majority means winning more than 50% of the votes in a division. Should a Government fail to hold the confidence of the House, it has to hold a General Election. Secondly the term can also be used in an election, where it refers to the margin which the candidate with the most votes has over the candidate coming second. To win a seat a candidate need only have a majority of 1.
