HC Deb 12 November 1912 vol 43 cc1794-5
28. Mr. PRETYMAN

asked in view of the fact that a commission of 4d. in the £ is allowed to bankers and other persons entrusted with the payment of dividends on Income Tax deducted from interest and dividends payable by them on the payment by them of that Income Tax to the Revenue, and that the total amount of that commission amounted during the year 1911–12 to £74,000, what was the amount of such commission allowed to such bankers and other persons on the deductions of Income Tax made on and between the 6th April and the 7th August this year, now declared to have been made unlawfully; what steps do His Majesty's Government propose to take with regard to the commission allowed on such payments; and do they propose in future to offer a commission of 4d. in the £ to bankers and others to induce them to make unlawful deductions?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The approximate amount of the commission paid or payable is £10,500. The answer to the second part of the question is that no action is contemplated. With regard to the third part I would refer the hon. Member to the answer of my right hon. Friend the hon. Member for St. Pancras (West) on the 6th instant, when he stated that he proposed to introduce legislation dealing with the matter generally.