§ MR. GRAYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, having opened an office at the Four Courts, Dublin, for the sale of stamps and collection of Duty, are now, in addition, selling all kinds of unstamped forms and papers at greatly reduced rates, some at half-price; whether he is aware that this latter proceeding, in regard to unstamped papers, inflicts considerable loss upon the law stationers; and, whether the Treasury will restrict the Commissioners to the sale of stamps and the collection of Duties?
§ MR. HIBBERT (for Mr. CHILDERS)The Inland Revenue Stamp Office at the Four Courts replaces the former licensed vendors; and, like them, it sells unstamped forms for the convenience of the Legal Profession and the public. These forms are sold at a rate which yields a reasonable profit to the State, besides being a convenience to the purchaser of stamps.
§ MR. GRAYasked, whether the hon. Gentleman was aware that the Office issued a Circular, stating that they were selling unstamped papers at half the price charged by traders; and, whether the Office would be permitted to enter into an unfair competition with traders?
§ MR. HIBBERTsaid, that the fact might be so; but a fair profit was realized.
§ MR. CALLANDoes a similar practice prevail in England?
§ MR. HIBBERTI have 110 doubt it does.