§ MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Ex- 748 chequer what is the number of tax surveys in the Kingdom in which there is no established officer besides the surveyors; what is the number of un-established clerks employed in such districts; what is the average number of days per annum upon which the surveyors in such districts are absent on leave or on official business; and by whom the daily business of the office is transacted during the absence of the surveyor.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH, Fifeshire E.)(1) 216; (2) 428; (3) twenty-six days On leave—the number of days upon which a surveyor is wholly absent from his office on official duties is not available. (4) In forty-one out of the 216 districts above-mentioned (1), there are other surveyors in the same building, who are in charge during the absence of their colleagues. In the remaining 175 districts, the routine work is performed by the clerks; but the district is in charge of the "linked" surveyor, who deals with all important matters, visiting the office as required.
§ MR. SUMMERBELLI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer at what date established clerks of the lower or second division were first employed on the outdoor clerical staff of the tax-surveying department: when the employment of such clerks ceased; what was the maximum number employed at any one time; and what was the number of surveys in which no established clerks were employed during the period of employment of such established clerks.
§ MR. ASQUITH(1) 1877; (2) 1894; (3) 54; (4) 0.