§ MR. SEARSI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the saving in poundage, etc., of £6,500 a year on a revenue of less than £250,000 which the Board of Inland Revenue say, in their twelfth Report, was effected by the transfer of the management of the dog tax from parochial to Government officers, in addition to the increase in the number of dogs brought to charge under the now system, and to a saving of £60,000 a year in poundage, etc., from a further transfer of assessed taxes in 1869; will he cause an inquiry to be made to ascertain whether similar saving would result from the substitution of Government for parochial officers in connection with the taxes still in the hands of such officers.
§ MR. MCKENNAAgainst the saving of £60,000, there was a substantial set-off by increased cost for the Excise Staff. At the same time, the changes made in 1867 and 1869 were unquestionably of advantage both to efficiency and economy. If they were not carried further, nor any proposal made to carry them further, it may be inferred that it was not considered 240 at the time that advantage would result from carrying them further. At any rate, that is the conviction of the present Board and of its advisers at the present time.
§ MR. MCKENNAI cannot.