Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 5th November, 1954
Income Tax (Partnerships)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the extra-statutory concession relating to certain partnership changes set out on page 95 of the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the year ended 31st March, 1950, Command Paper No. 8103, is still operative.
Under provisions enacted in last year's Finance Act (Section 19, Finance Act. 1953), the Income Tax cessation and commencement provisions now apply on a change in the constitution of a partnership unless all the partners claim continuation treatment. In these circumstances, there is not in my view any sufficient ground for continuing the operation of this concession, and it will not be applied where successive changes of partnership occur in future. The concession will, however, be made where appropriate in relation to cases where the first change has already taken place.
Ministry Of Works
Building Permits (Co-Ordination)
asked the Minister of Works if he will consult with his colleagues to save expense and time now involved in any large building undertaking, by inspiring a plan so that all the necessary permits, which now take anything up to a year to obtain, can be provided in a month to six weeks, as is done in many other countries and all from one authorising body.
I hope the abolition of licensing will be a contribution to the end my hon. Friend has in mind. I agree that it is desirable that the procedure for obtaining the permits to build should be as simple and speedy as possible, but I do not think it would be practicable to have one authorising body to cover all the interests involved.
Government Contracts (Payments)
asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the method often followed by Government Departments of delaying the final and other payments for new building work for a considerable time, adds substantially to the cost involved; and if he will consider consulting with the Departments concerned with a view to introducing an arrangement such as is used in the United States of America, where the final payment is generally made within 30 days and a bond accepted to take care of any contingencies which may arise.
The whole question of payments on building contracts, including retention money and the alternative of bonds or guarantees, has recently been considered by an Interdepartmental Working Party set up by my predecessor. The report will be published shortly and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.
Nature Conservancy (Land)
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what is the area of land at present held by the Nature Conservancy, subject to agreements under Section 16 of the National Parks Act, 1949; and the area that has been compulsorily acquired under Sections 17 and 18 of the Act.
The area of land at present subject to Nature Reserve Agreements under Section 16 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, is 40,624 acres. The Nature Conservancy have not hitherto made use of the powers of compulsory acquisition conferred on them under Sections 17 and 18 of the Act.
Service Officers (Retired Pay)
asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many retired officers of the three Services are drawing retired pay with a disability addition.
Approximately 4,300.
Building Standardisation
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give consideration to the introduction of a standardised building Act which will apply to the whole country, embodying the variations which are desirable between urban and rural areas.
If my hon. Friend will send me details of his proposals, I shall be glad to consider them.