Taxation Laws (Consolidation)

Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 February 1957.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr John Peyton Mr John Peyton , Yeovil 12:00, 14 February 1957

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the introduction of legislation to consolidate the law relating to direct taxation.

Photo of Mr Enoch Powell Mr Enoch Powell , Wolverhampton South West

The Income Tax law was consolidated in 1952. I do not think that further consolidation is necessary at present.

Photo of Mr John Peyton Mr John Peyton , Yeovil

Am I not right in saying that there are about 16 Statutes in force bearing on Income Tax alone? Would my hon. Friend give further consideration to this point and bear in mind that it would be highly desirable not only to have the law in one hand but also to have it more simple? Would he not also agree, that it would be very much easier to get it simplified if it were less penal?

Photo of Mr Enoch Powell Mr Enoch Powell , Wolverhampton South West

Consolidation is not necessarily simplification, and there has been consolidation within the last four or five years. The Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income recommended consolidation over ten years, beginning from 1962, and we have not quite got there yet.