asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Ministers are allowed rent-free houses or apartments in Government buildings, or elsewhere; and whether he will give a list of these Ministers, with the accommodation allowed them and the rental value.

Residential accommodation is occupied rent-free by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Foreign Secretary and the First Lord of the Admiralty, and also by the Lord Chancellor in his capacity as Speaker of another place. In all these cases the accommodation consists of a flat or suite of rooms in a building the rest of which is in use for other State purposes: and it would not be realistic to assign a market rental to the residential portion.

Is this how the commissars of England feather their nests?

Hon. Members:

Withdraw.

I think it is within the recollection of the House and the knowledge of the public that these residences have been in existence for these Government Ministers for very many years.

Imputations and insinuations of this kind are most undesirable.