§ Mr. FELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury, by whose authority the collectors of Income Tax, when calling on companies in the City of London which owed them money on the last two or three days of the late financial year, informed the companies that it would be satisfactory if they paid the sums due on the 4th or 5th April, and if by this means the old Sinking Fund was deprived of sums which it would otherwise have received?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am not aware that collectors of Income tax in the City of London have acted in the manner indicated by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXIs it not a fact that the collectors went to the various companies in the City—not the railway companies—with the same request that they had made to the railway companies, that they should not be paid; and has the right hon. Gentleman had time to communicate with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ascertain whether he did or did not inspire these instructions?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo, Sir; the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry into the matter from the Board of Inland Revenue?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am in constant communication with the Board of Inland Revenue; and the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEWhy will not the right hon. Gentleman make such inquiries?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have made such inquiries; and the answer is in the negative.
§ Lord HUGH CECILPerhaps I might ask the Prime Minister if the Government would consent to the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the whole matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI see no sufficient reason to do so.
§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in commercial circles it is estimated that £3,000,000 have been transferred from the Sinking Fund by these operations of the Treasury or their officials?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I am not aware of it.
§ Mr. JOYNSON - HICKSWould the right hon. Gentleman the Financial Secretary give us a complete list of the calls made by these officials to the various companies?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have no objection, so far as I can see, to doing so. I have already pointed out that the answer is in the negative. It would not be possible to furnish at once the information that the hon. Gentleman desires.