§ COLONEL SANDYS (Lancashire, S. W., Bootle)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Inland Revenue Authorities are aware that an Excise officer recently superannuated has since been found to have been in partnership with a brewer during his term of office, and that the brewery in which he was a partner was under his own supervision as Excise officer; whether the said officer has now started another brewery in the district with which he was originally officially connected, and in competition with the brewers to whom he had been Exciseman; and, whether, under the circumstances, the Authorities have the power to rescind his superannuation; and, if not, whether they will take steps to prevent the possible renewal of such conduct?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT) (Derby), in reply, said, he was informed by the Inland Revenue Authorities that they found there was no evidence at all of the charge made in this case in reference to this officer having been in partnership in the brewery under his own supervision. They had also found that as the officer in question had no wish to continue in the service, and having served long enough to earn the superannuation, under these circumstances they had no option except to give him a superannuation.