§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to abolish the office of Collector of Inland Revenue at Great Winchester Street, in the City of London, and to transfer the main portion of his duties to the office of the Receiver General at Somerset House; if so, what increase of staff will be necessary in the latter office; is it intended to raise the salary of the Receiver General; will any officers be retired on pensions as a consequence of the abolition; if so, how many, and what will be the total annual charge for their pensions; what is the net saving, if any, which will be effected by the change; what is the amount of Excise and Income Tax now collected annually at Great Winchester Street; and, have representations reached him that great inconvenience will be caused to persons in the City and East End who have hitherto transacted their business at that office?
§ *MR. GOSCHENA plan is now under the consideration of the Board of Inland Revenue for transferring a part of the work at present done in the office of the Collector of Inland Revenue, at Great Winchester Street, to the Receiver General. The scheme involves no increase of staff, though it may involve a transfer from one office to the other. No question has been raised of increasing the salary of the Receiver General. If the scheme is adopted, no officers will be retired on pensions in consequence of it. It is impossible as yet to say what would be the amount of the saving; but, of course, the scheme will only be adopted if it leads to economy. The amount of Excise and Income Tax collected at the office in question was about £2,800,000 for the year ending the 31st of December. No representations have been made to me that inconvenience will be caused by the proposed scheme. There will still be an office in Great Winchester Street, and an official authorized to receive taxes, though part of the work now done in the office might be transferred to the Receiver General.