§ 52. Mr. Byersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the amount of money which would be lost to the Treasury if the allowances of officers and other ranks in the Armed Forces were not subject to taxation.
§ Sir S. CrippsI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. ByersIs it not possible to give some rough approximation, even to the nearest million, or two million?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am afraid not without a great deal of work. It would be valueless unless a great deal of work were put into it.
§ Brigadier HeadIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that under the present system of taxed allowances, officers are in fact getting less than before the war and the Services consider that the present system, as opposed to the way in which it was announced, is a swindle?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am afraid that is not a matter which arises on this Question.
§ Brigadier HeadBut it is a fact.
§ Major Legge-BourkeIn view of the fact that under this Government allowances became taxed, has not the right hon. and learned Gentleman some idea of how much he has gained at the Exchequer?
§ Sir S. CrippsI am afraid it is not possible to arrive at any valuable figure without a great deal of work being done.