§ 76. Mr. Denmanasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Members of Parliament there are whose expenses of office for Income Tax purposes absorb their whole salary; and what is the average proportion of salary absorbed by expenses among Members as a whole?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI regret that I cannot furnish my hon. Friend with the information for which he asks. It is not the practice to give particulars of the Income Tax assessments upon, or the amount of the deductions allowed to, a particular class of taxpayers. I can, however, inform my hon. Friend that there is a large number of cases of Members of Parliament in which the deduction allowed for expenses exceeds the flat rate deduction of £100 fixed under the Rules applicable to Schedule E of the Income Tax Act, 1918.
§ Mr. DenmanAs we are to discuss the question of salaries of Members, ought we not to know what proportion of the salary is absorbed for expenses? Is there any real objection to informing the House of the facts?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleThe general rule which I have mentioned is in the interests of individuals, and I am very loath to depart from it.
§ Mr. ThorneIs not the Financial Secretary aware that when Members get their warrants the Income Tax is stopped, and that the authorities do not give us the opportunity of paying it?
§ Mr. DenmanMay I put the question to you, Mr. Speaker? These facts, I take it, are known in the Fees Office, and, if the Treasury declines to give us these simple facts, are we not entitled to obtain them from the Fees Office?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat does not appear to be a question which it is easy to answer on the spur of the moment, but I should say, "Certainly not."