§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that he rose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to consolidate the Boards of Excise and Taxes into one Board of Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and to make provision for the collection of such revenue. This had already been partly done by the Treasury, and his object was now to carry into complete effect what had already been partially done. He proposed this alteration with a view to public economy. By the consolidation of the Boards of Excise and Stamps and Taxes, he estimated that he would effect a saving of between 70,000l. and 80,000l. to the public, without at all diminishing the efficiency of those branches of the public revenue.
§ MR. HERRIESsaid, that he should be glad that a saving of between 70,000l. and 80,000l. was effected; and he should be heartily glad indeed if so large an amount was saved without diminishing the security in the collection of those branches of the revenue which the present system afforded. But if that security was at all diminished, he thought it would be dearly purchased by a saving of 70,000l. or 80,000l. where so large an amount of revenue, namely, from 20,000,000l. to 30,000,000l., was involved. As the right hon. Gentleman, however, took it for granted that the new system would work as efficiently as the old, he would not oppose the Motion.
§ Leave was then given to bring in the Bill, which was read a first time.