§ 51. Mr. STEWART SANDEMANasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that letters have been sent from Somerset House asking certain Income Tax payers who happen to lunch at their offices whether they pay for their lunches themselves or whether these lunches are paid for by the firms or companies of which they may happen to be employés or directors; and under whose instructions this is done and in what difference to the revenue this might involve the country?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)I am not aware that any such letters have been sent, and I can assure my hon. Friend that he is under a misapprehension in thinking that any such general inquiry is being made. If he has some particular case in mind, and will put me in possession of the facts, I will look into it and let him know the result.
Mr. SANDEMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have several instances in which companies have not been allowed to pay for these lunches, and may I ask whether or not it is legal to demand that companies should charge for these lunches which may be given to their directors or employés?
§ Mr. McNEILLI could not answer that question without notice.
Mr. SANDEMANAs this is evidently not a question for Question Time, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise it at the first possible opportunity.