Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 11 Chwefror 1947.
Mr. De la Bère:
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether, in order to give additional incentive to increased production throughout the country, he will now consider abolishing the system of Pay As You Earn.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
No, Sir.
Mr. De la Bère:
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the urgent need for increased production overrides all other considerations? Is he not aware further that increased production is the greatest safeguard against inflation which the country can have? Is it that the right hon. Gentleman does not understand? I want to know.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
The hon. Gentleman has been kind enough to echo statements that I have frequently made myself. I am much obliged to him. The question is whence to collect the revenue. So far as my study of the matter goes, no very great improvements can be made in the broad outline of the scheme which I inherited from my immediate predecessor, who gave great thought to the matter. This is the best way of collecting Income Tax from weekly wage earners which the wit of man has yet devised.
Major Samuel Haughton
, Antrim
With the object of removing some of the unpopularity which attaches to P.A.Y.E., would the Chancellor consider the advisability of publishing a leaflet in simple language explaining the incidence of this tax?
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
I think it is only too well known.
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.
