§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why some prisons are now deducting tax from visiting ministers' fees allowances which are paid to charities in the cases where the ministers are not allowed to accept money for religious reasons. [HL11501]
§ Lord Williams of MostynA recent audit of the Prison Service by the Inland Revenue has confirmed that visiting ministers who receive payments for fees and expenses are to be treated as office holders within the Prison Service and must be subjected to Income Tax and Class I National Insurance contributions. If the noble Lord is aware of any particular case where there is doubt over the applicability of this action, he should arrange for details to be sent to the Director General of the Prison Service, who will have the matter investigated.