Talking of the John Prescott tax issue, there's another interesting letter in Taxation magazine this week raising an amusing problem.

'There has been much press coverage recenlty on the clothes and cosmetic treatments of prominent politicians and their wives during the last general election campaign,' someone known only as Jealous Guy, writes.

If his employer pays for a suit for him to wear, he is taxable as a benefit in kind, he says. Are our leaders, not to mention Cherie, treated in the same way? Or is he just missing out on some tax relief?

One can only hope our esteemed politicians' tax arrangements are all in order on this one.