People and Business: High-flying tax

HEARTWARMING to hear that two parts of DaimlerChrysler will definitely not be merging and not be subject to group criteria on performance and profitability - each company's private airline. Just as well, as Chrysler plans to splash out on a new Airbus later this year.

The Daimler staff are quite happy about the plan. Their tax advisers say the eight hours spent in flight between the offices qualify for the 180 days a year they must spend out of Germany to qualify for a tax break.