§ Mr. SANDERSONasked what is the date upon which the Department, which is now in existence at the Inland Revenue for the purpose of the inspection and valuation of the estates of deceased persons, was created, the number and qualifications of the officials or persons employed in or connected with the Department, and the amounts of their salaries or remuneration?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe provision of professional assistance to supplement the staff at the Inland Revenue which deals with cases of the character in question was authorised at the commencement of the present financial year. For further particulars I may perhaps refer the hon. Member to the forthcoming Inland Revenue Estimate for 1910–11, which will, I hope, be issued in the course of a few days.
§ Mr. SANDERSONUnder this new system, are valuations of independent local valuers discarded in favour of the valuations of gentlemen who have no local knowledge?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have frequently explained at Question Time and in discussion on the Estimates the origin of the present practice of the Inland Revenue. 1462 It was owing to the unsatisfactory nature of valuations often made by local valuers that a central valuer was appointed.