§ 54. Major NEWMANasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that one week before the Military Service (No. 2) Bill was placed on the Statute Book the Commissioners of Inland Revenue appointed Mr. R. L. W. Pitt, an unattested man, aged twenty-six, as collector of taxes for Merton, Surrey, his duties to commence the following September; whether Mr. Pitt was called up under the Military Service Act in June, and, on appearing before the local tribunal, was refused exemption; whether he then appealed to the Appeal Tribunal, and, on producing a certificate of exemption from the Inland Revenue authorities, was granted total exemption; whether the local advisory committee drew up a petition to the Army Council praying for an 1592 inquiry into the case, who replied that they had gone into the matter with the Board of Inland Revenue and that the latter body refused to release their official; will he say if Mr. R. L. W. Pitt is still on part-time employment as a collector of taxes; and, if so, will the Board set an example of patriotism and allow Mr. Pitt to take service with the Colours?
§ Mr. BECK (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)No, Sir; Mr. Pitt was appointed by the General Commissioners of Taxes for the District. The case has been the subject of communication between those Commissioners, the Man-Power Distribution Board, and the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and it has been decided that the temporary certificate held by Mr. Pitt shall be withdrawn.