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.

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.

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.

Mr. De la Bère:

Be very careful.

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?

I think it is only too well known.