§ 6. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the press corninunique issued by the Government of India on the 16th August, 1926, renders it obligatory that applications by residents in the United Kingdom for refund of Indian Income Tax, under Section 48 of the Indian Income Tax, XI., of 1922, should in future be presented to the Income Tax officer in Bombay instead of, as heretofore, to the High Commissioner for India, in London, he is aware that this new arrangement inflicts a real hardship on a large number of retired Anglo-Indians resident in the United Kingdom; and, under these circumstances, whether he will arrange for the procedure originally obtaining to he reverted to?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe change in the machinery for refunds of Indian Income Tax to which my hon. Friend refers was made by the Government of India, for reasons of economy, at the instance of the Standing Finance Committee of the Indian Legislature. In order to facilitate matters for claimants residing outside India it has recently been arranged that refunds should be remitted to them direct by money order 6 or draft, at their cost, should they so desire.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs it not a fact that that procedure will not get over the difficulty which has been experienced by residents in this country who wish to claim a refund? Will the Noble Lord make representations to the Government of India pointing out the great hardship which results from the fact that application has to be made in India instead of in London?
§ Earl WINTERTONI think perhaps the best way of dealing with the matter would be for me to suggest to my Noble Friend the Secretary of State—and I feel sure he would accept my suggestion—that copies of the question and answer should be sent to the Government of India.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIt is difficult to know what the rate of Income Tax is in India.
§ Earl WINTERTONA copy of the hon. Member's question will also be sent to India.