§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the officers of a bombing and gunnery instruction school in Canada, who are members of the Royal Air Force, have Income Tax deducted from their pay at the full rate, and also from their allowances, which places them at a great disadvantage with the members of the Canadian Air Force; that any claim for Income Tax allowances is settled in this country and therefore not available to them, and that the monthly amount left to them after paying their mess bills is insufficient to permit them to go on leave, in view of the high cost of living in that country; and will he see that steps are taken to remedy this situation?
§ Sir A. SinclairOfficers of the Royal Air Force serving in R.A.F. Schools in Canada, like R.A.F. officers serving at other stations overseas and paid from Imperial funds, are called upon to pay Income Tax at United Kingdom rates but as they are in receipt of Royal Canadian Air Force rates of pay, which are considerably higher than R.A.F. rates of pay, I do not agree that the amounts left to1192W them after the deduction of Income Tax are insufficient to enable them to maintain a reasonable standard of living or to go on leave. The net receipts these officers are lower than those of R.C.A.F. officers serving in Canada, becaus the latter are taxed more lightly, but I have no reason to think that they are worse off financially than R.A.F. officers serving at home or on other overseas stations. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that Income Tax is deducted from their allowances. This is not the case. Claims for Income Tax reliefs are settled in this country; the full reliefs for which they are eligible are allowed.