MR. HAYDENI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, when Inspectors and collectors of Inland Revenue are making inquiries into complaints or charges against subordinate officers of the Inland Revenue, it is their practice to obtain documentary or oral evidence in the absence of the officials complained of; that the nature or substance of such evidence is used against the officials without being made known or communicated to them, or their being afforded an opportunity of proving whether such evidence was true or not; and that from time to time evidence obtained in this way has 242 led to the censuring, reduction, or dismissal of officers of the Inland Revenue; whether this mode of obtaining evidence is legal, and allowed in other Government Departments; and whether he will direct the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to instruct their Inspectors and collectors to make their inquiries in the presence of the officials concerned in future?
SIR W. HARCOURTThe question does not correctly describe the practice in such cases. As far as possible, such inquiries are held in the presence of the accused officer. Where this is not possible the evidence against him is formulated, and he is given an opportunity of explaining or denying it. He can also produce evidence on his own behalf.