§ 50. Sir GERALD HURSTasked Ike Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that Sir T. Beecham, while receiving an income of £18,000 a year, has been allowed to run up arrears in Super-tax and Surtax to the extent of over £71,000 without proceedings being taken against him; whether he will explain why this debtor has been treated differently to the mass of Surtax payers; over how many years such arrears have accumulated; and on what grounds the Treasury have shown this indulgence?
§ Major ELLIOTThe hon. Member will appreciate that I am unable to discuss the details of an individual taxpayer's affairs. He is, however, under a mis- 1475 apprehension in assuming that no action for recovery of the arrears of taxation has been taken, or that there has been any differentiation in the treatment of the case to which he refers from that of any other taxpayer in like circumstances.
§ Sir G. HURSTIs the right hon. and gallant Member aware that these facts were publicly stated in court on Thursday last by Sir Thomas Beecham's own counsel, and can he explain why it is that no effective action was taken?
§ Major ELLIOTIt would be quite improper for me to comment in any way on statements in the courts of this country. It is practically impossible to go into these details on the Floor of the House, but I shall be perfectly willing to discuss them with the hon. Member if he will see me afterwards.