asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider, as an inducement and incentive to tens of thousands of former women operatives and new women recruits whom he has required to return to textile factories, a tax concession for married women in industry.

I would remind my hon. Friend that the additional relief allowable in respect of a wife's earned income was increased from £80 to £110 by the Finance Act, 1946.

In view of the fact that only last week the right hon. and learned Gentleman made an appeal for such women to return to work, will he not now give some further concession to them? Otherwise it would appear that the clothing ration will be endangered in the future.

My hon. Friend will be glad to hear that there is a good response in the textile industry to the appeal for the return of this type of labour.