HC Deb 16 June 1892 vol 5 cc1285-6
MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has been informed that a man named Bird, representing himself to be a tax gatherer for Brixton, entered the dwelling house, No. 10, Zenoria Street, East Dulwich, and refused to give his name or that of his fellow visitor, and distrained for taxes which he had never asked the landlord for; if the said Bird is as he represented a tax gatherer; and if there is any redress for the illegal distraint?

MR. GOSCHEN

Mr. Bird is the collector of taxes for the district. The taxes are payable on or before 1st January, and it is the duty of the collector to recover payment of them on the premises assessed. Collectors of taxes are not bound to apply to landlords, and as the tenant of the house in question failed to pay on the repeated demands of the collector, the latter had no alternative but to enforce payment. As to the alleged refusal of Mr. Bird to give his name, Mr. Bird on entering the premises handed his warrant to the tenant, and called attention to his name which was inserted therein. Mr. Bird is appointed by the Local Commissioners, and is not an officer of the Inland Revenue Department. Any complaint as to his conduct should be made to the Local Commissioners.