§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many independent and grant-aided schools in Scotland qualify for exemption from corporation and capital gains taxes by virtue of their charitable status; and what has been the cost of such exemption to the Exchequer in the latest available year.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to his reply, 22 January, c. 233]: Some 80 such schools are regarded by the Inland Revenue as having charitable status and tax exemption is given to such a school if its income or gains is applied to charitable purposes only. The cost of such exemption is not readily ascertainable.