§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Govan)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether ho is aware of district surveyors of Inland Revenue asking for returns of anticipated profits of income; and whether, considering the trouble and annoyance in giving such information, which can only be illusionary and unsatisfactory, he will see his way to stay this procedure?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe object of these inquiries is to obtain information on which to found the estimate of the Board of Inland Revenue of the produce of the income tax for the coming year. They are made in the month of March, by which time the result of the trading of the year ended 31st December preceding is generally known. They are not pressed on any persons who have any reluctance to answer them; but, as a rule, the information is willingly given, and is of much service to the Department.