HC Deb 01 November 1911 vol 30 cc859-60
Mr. WILLIAM PEEL

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1), why was the appointment of Mr. Harper as Chief Valuer to the Board of Inland Revenue announced on 27th August and not during the Session of Parliament; and (2), whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Harper at the end of April, 1911, resigned a position of £1,100 a year, and a pension, on the London County Council, and was appointed Chief Valuer to the Board of Inland Revenue on 27th August, 1911, at a salary of £1,200 a year, he is now able to state that any suggestion was made, or assurance or hint given, to Mr. Harper that he would obtain a position under Government when he resigned his post on the Council; if not, when was the offer of his new position first made to Mr. Harper?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The reply to the first question is that the vacancy did not occur till 1st September. Mr. Harper was first approached by the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue with the offer of the appointment of Chief Valuer on 15th August, and the Commissioners decided at their meeting of 25th August to make the appointment. My right hon. Friend has already informed the House in the Debate of 11th May that at the time of his resignation of his position under the County Council Mr. Harper asked for nothing and was promised nothing.

Mr. PEEL

Is it not the fact that the predecessor of Mr. Harper having passed the age of sixty-five could have been retired at any moment by the Treasury, and therefore there was no necessity for keeping it over till 27th August?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

As a matter of fact, for administrative reasons the Board of Inland Revenue desired to retain his services.

Mr. PEEL

Was not Sir Ernest Soares appointed during the Parliamentary Recess? Does the right hon. Gentleman tell me that Mr. Harper lived in an unsalaried condition for four months without knowing he was going to get a job under Government?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

During those four months Mr. Harper was engaged in private practice.

Mr. W. PEEL

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that Mr. Harper left the position of £1,000 a year and a pension in April, and got this position in August, and was not given in April some hint that he was going to get the post?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I have answered that question. The hon. Member is as well aware as anybody of the reason why Mr. Harper left the service of the council.