HC Deb 27 January 1913 vol 47 cc991-3
90. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received copies of two letters written immediately before his death by the officer of Customs and Excise who recently committed suicide in Edinburgh, and, in view of the state- ments made in these letters, if he adheres to the declaration that the worry of the work was not the cause of the suicide; if he has made inquiries as to the accuracy of the official statement that the work of the station was not in arrear when the deceased officer took charge; and, as bearing on that matter, will he state what proportion of the quarterly surveys had been made up to 2nd December when the deceased officer took charge; how many claims for repayment of Motor Spirit Duty had been received between 1st October and 2nd December, and how many had been dealt with; what proportion of the transfers of establishment, dog, motor licences registers had been completed up to 2nd December; and how many inquiries were outstanding relicences not taken out in respect of motor cars?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I have seen copies of an uncompleted letter and a pencil note written by Mr. Williams immediately before his death, but I adhere to my statement that the work was not sufficient to account for his action. Full inquiry has been made as to the state of the work of the station, including the various details specified in the question, at the time that Mr. Williams took charge; and the inquiry confirms the assurance that I gave the hon. Member on the 8th instant, that there was no serious accumulation of arrears, and that the general work of the station was nothing more than normal.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman say which letter he refers to? Was it the letter written to a colleague, or the letter sent to a lady?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The latter.

Mr. SNOWDEN

And is it not a fact that this was wholly devoted to telling of his worry about his work?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Yes. But, as a matter of fact, it does convey the impression that Williams' mind was unhinged at the time. There are passages which indicate that very clearly. The letter can be read if the hon. Member wishes.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

In view of well-founded complaints from several centres, will not the right hon. Gentleman consent to an inquiry into the whole question of overwork in this particular branch of the service?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I have been inquiring a good deal into the matter. There has no doubt been a good deal of overwork in connection with old age pensions, but that is gradually passing away.