§ Sir F. FLANNERYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Members of Parliament have claimed the allowance to which they are entitled from assessment of Income Tax as citizens generally in respect of expenses to which they are necessarily put in earning their salaries, for additional cost of living away from home when engaged in their Parliamentary duties either at Westminster or in their constituencies, and miscellaneous expenses necessarily incurred, including stationery, postage, telegrams, and similar items, secretarial assistance, and occasionally the rent of an 1048W office; the total amount of Income Tax allowed to Members of Parliament; and the number of citizens not Members of Parliament who have made similar claims; and the total amount allowed?
Mr. YOUNGThe number of Members who have made claims of the character referred to is, I understand, somewhat under 400. The total number of other persons who have made similar claims is not available, but the number is extremely large. I would remind my hon. Friend that it is not the practice to make public particulars as to the Income Tax assessments upon, or the amount of the statutory deductions allowed to, particular taxpayers or small bodies of taxpayers.