HC Deb 06 April 1911 vol 23 cc2429-30
Mr. FELL

asked what instructions were issued to the collectors of Income Tax during the month of March; if such instructions were to urge the collection of Income Tax before the close of the financial year, and afterwards to delay such collection and allow the payment to stand over until the early days of April; and if cheques for the payment of Income Tax were offered to the collectors on 30th and 31st March, and the collectors said they did not want them until 4th April?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I am informed that no instructions were issued to the collectors of Income Tax during the month of March; and consequently the second and third parts of the question do not arise. If the hon. Member will be so good as to put down a question with regard to any specific case of the nature indicated in the concluding part of his question I will inquire into it.

Mr. FELL

Is it suggested that Income Tax collectors are acting on their own initiative in postponing the collection of these cheques?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The collectors of Income Tax are not under the control of the Treasury at all in this matter.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Is it usual for collectors of Income Tax to ask those who are bound to pay Income Tax not to pay when they are willing to do so?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

That is a point on which I have no information, because they are not Treasury officials.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Who is responsible for them?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The District Commissioners.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

To whom are the District Commissioners responsible?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

There are some thousands of private individuals scattered up and down through the country.

Sir F. BANBURY

Are we to understand that the collectors of Income Tax can collect it whenever it suits them, and that the Treasury have no power?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

No. They cannot collect it when it suits them. They collect it when it suits the District Commissioners.

Mr. W. R. PEEL

Is there any Government official in the House of Commons who is responsible for the action of these Commissioners?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I know of no Government official in the House of Commons.