§ 79. Mr. Stokesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether lie is aware that persons working in the Department of the War Office designated as M.I. 9 and other similar organisations are exempt from income tax on the salary paid to them for their work in the Departments concerned; and, in view of the unfairness of this to other members of the community, what steps he proposes to take to put matters right.
§ Sir J. AndersonI must remind the hon. Member that Income Tax assessments are subject to conditions of secrecy, and I cannot therefore undertake to furnish any information regarding the liability to Income Tax of particular individuals. I can only say that the Income Tax law contains no exemption in favour of any particular class of Crown servants in any Government Department.
§ Mr. StokesIs not the Chancellor aware that some of these people who are serving in Secret Service Departments who are very wealthy, and who have been taken on for service during the war, are being paid high salaries free of tax? That is well known throughout the Civil Service and greatly resented.
§ Sir J. AndersonI would only say, Mr. Speaker, that the less that is known about Secret Service matters the better.
§ Mr. StokesIs the Chancellor aware that a great many people think that if more were known, it would be a very good thing? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.