asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any assessment for purposes of Income Tax or Surtax is made on the free living accommodation provided for certain Ministers of the Crown.

No, Sir. These official residences have never been charged to Income Tax since the middle of the nineteenth century.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman in such matters will follow the procedure of the nineteenth century?

I think it means that the hon. Member is probably living in the past.