§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, as a means of supporting the Government's policy of cutting down on Treasury expenditure, he will stop the present practice of allocating to Ministers on a tax-free basis the use of houses and flats and ancillary services and convert these into offices for the use of civil servants.
§ Mr. David HowellNo. Ministers with official residences are treated for tax purposes as representative occupiers in the same way as those who are required for the proper performance of their duties to live in accommodation provided by their employer.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he is aware that at least £10,850 per annum could be saved on Treasury funds if Ministers were charged the actual costs of accommodation which they occupy; what further savings could be made if all occupants of State-owned residences were charged the actual costs of their accommodation; and whether, in the interests of Government economy, he will make such a charge.
§ Mr. David HowellI would refer the hon. Member to my Answer on 14th July and the Reply given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 5th November. Civil servants and members of the Armed Forces who occupy State-owned residences are charged for their accommodation; and the charges are now under review.—[Vol. 803, c.186; Vol. 805, c. 445.]