§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest annual cost to the taxpayer of allowances payable in respect of the children of members of the Diplomatic Service at public schools.
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn the financial year 1976–77, the total amount paid in allowances to members of the Diplomatic Service in respect of children attending boarding schools in the United Kingdom was £3,512,229. Of this, approximately £1,160,000 was recovered in income tax on boarding school allowances paid to staff serving in this country. The total net cost to the taxpayer was thus about £2,350,000.