Orders of the Day — Economic Situation

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 February 1961.

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Photo of Sir Gerald Nabarro Sir Gerald Nabarro , Kidderminster 12:00, 7 February 1961

I have stood in this market place eleven years. I do not propose to move to the bench above.

I say seriously to my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor that this is not only a matter of tax reduction. It is also a matter of drastic tax reform. The complexity of our taxation is a brake upon all industrial and commercial endeavour and expansion. So complex has our tax system become that even those versed in the Statutes and rules affecting taxation are unable any longer to work out their own taxation liability. I cannot. Even the most rabid Socialist would not accuse me of being backward in coming forward to secure such tax reliefs as I may be entitled to, but I cannot do my own tax papers. I have to employ an accountant to do them, so complicated is the assessment put upon me under Income Tax, Schedule A, Schedule B, Schedule D, Schedule E and Surtax all simultaneously. The hon. Member says "lucky man". Oh, no. Schedule A is assessed on the house I own and live in. There is surely no harm in my owning a house. Schedule B is the occupation of land for non-profit-making purposes in the form of my garden at home. Schedule D is my assessment before—