REVENUE DEPARTMENTS. (Hansard, 26 February 1897)

§ MR. WHITTAKER
wished to ask for a little information as to the methods of selecting cases for prosecution adopted by the Department.

*THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS
I do not see under what item the hon. Member can raise the question.

§ MR. WHITTAKER
The law charges for prosecutions.

*THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS
That item refers to the fees paid to counsel and solicitors. The question whether the prosecutions were properly instituted does not arise on that.

§ MR. WHITTAKER
There is an item for cost of prosecutions in Inland Revenue Department.

*THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS
Any question relating to prosecutions which have taken place might be dealt with under this item; but a question as to the future policy of the Department as to prosecutions could not.

§ MR. WHITTAKER
I wish to raise a question as to the present method of prosecution.

*THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS
That is a matter which is in the discretion of the heads of the Department.

§ MR. WHITTAKER
Would it not arise on the amount of money incurred in prosecutions?

*THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS
I think not. The heads of the Department apply for extra money to meet the expenses of prosecutions that have taken place. The general policy of the Inland Revenue could not be discussed on that.

§ MR. WHITTAKER
Can I not argue that it is not fair to select some cases for prosecutions and not others?

*THE CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS
No, because that is a matter 1307 within the discretion of the Department. Counsel and solicitors do not have the selection of the cases.

MR. WHLTTAKER
Very well, Sir, I will raise the matter on the General Estimates.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES
asked whether there had been any large addition to what he might call the Statistical Department, and any diversion of work from other Departments. Could the right hon. Gentleman give him any information that would enable him to understand what the additions to the establishment were?

§ *MR. HANBURY
said the additions arose almost entirely from the additions that had to be made in connection with the Death Duties.

§ MR. DALZIEL
asked when. Report of Lord Tweedmouth's Commission would be circulated? He wished to bring to the right hon. Gentleman's attention the great dissatisfaction that was given to some steamship companies with regard to the American Mails. There was an especially strong feeling in the Argentine with regard to the few deliveries from this country, whence letters were only received once in 10 or 14 days. Of course the best way out of this difficulty was to send the Mails by all companies.

§ *MR. HANBURY
said that the Vote referred to the cost of the boats which carried the Mails from Holyhead to Dublin, and he did not think the Question the hon. Member had put properly arose on this Vote. He thought the Report of Lord Tweedmouth's Committee was handed in at the end of last December. It was a long Report dealing with a large variety of points, and was very complicated. It also, as hon. Members knew, dealt with questions involving very great expenditure. It had, in the first place, passed through the hands of the Post Office Authorities, whose final recommendations had only reached the Treasury a week ago. The matter had still to be dealt with by the Treasury, and in the circumstances he could hold out no hope that the Report would be presented to Parliament before three weeks or a month at the least. The 1308 Government thought that the Report ought not to be presented until the Treasury had come to a conclusion as to what ought to be done.
Resolutions to be reported upon Monday next; Committee to sit again upon Monday next.