§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that in many cases the demand for payment of Super-tax for the year ending 31st March, 1911, was not sent out till on or after 31st March, 1911, although the Returns on which the assessment of the tax was made were sent to the Special Commissioners some considerable time before that date; whether this was done by the special commissioners on their own responsibility and initiative, or in pursuance of instructions issued or suggestions made to them; and, if this was done in pursuance of any instructions or suggestions, whether he will inform the House by whom such instructions were issued or suggestions were made; and whether the same were issued or made at the instigation, or with the approval or sanction of, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, or any Member of that Board?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEOwing to the-exceptional circumstances attending the 846 passing of the Finance Act of 1909 there was a considerable delay in the issue of the demands for payment of Super-tax, and at the present time the effect of those exceptional circumstances is still being felt in this connection and is likely to continue for some time longer. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that every step is being taken to expedite the issue of these demands.