§ MR. SEARSI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in 1862–3 influential witnesses, including chairmen of the Board of Inland Revenue, heard before the Hors-fall Committee, condemned the system of assessment and collection of taxes by parochial officers; and that the Committee in their Report recommended the Scottish system of employing Government officers, on the ground that it would confer much benefit upon the public, and effect a large saving in the cost of collection; will he say what steps, if any, were taken to give effect to the finding of that Committee; whether the system then condemned is the same as now in use; and, if not, in what respects it differs.
† See (4) Debates, clix., 362.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe Horsfall Committee, so far as I ascertain did not do more than report the evidence taken— not, apparently, being able to agree on any conclusions or recommendations.