§ MR. MONKasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is prepared to authorize the adoption of a single form of licence for articles taxable under the assessed taxes in lieu of a separate licence for each article; and, whether he proposes to alter the present arrangement as to the payment of legacy duties through stamp distributors?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, he understood that a single form of licence had long been in use for the purpose named in the Question; but for reason of checks and account the issue was confined to collectors of Inland Revenue, whose address was given on the back of the forms of declaration, and any person by writing to the collector, enclosing a Post 549 Office order or cheque for the amount, could obtain a licence in the enclosed form. In May, 1874, a proposal was made to the Treasury that legacy and succession business with persons in the provinces should be conducted by direct correspondence with the head office instead of through the stamp distributors, by which it was expected that a not inconsiderable saving would be effected chiefly from the poundage of the collectors. The question was hung up because it was accompanied by a condition that the salaries of the officials in the Legacy Duty Department should be revised. This question formed part of an inquiry which was now proceeding.